Jersey make winning start to gold medal defence
Jersey have taken a youthful side to the 2025 Island Games in Orkney
- Published
Jersey's men made a winning start in defence of their Island Games football gold medal with a 2-0 win over Gozo.
Having seen captain Karl Hinds twice go close, Jersey took the lead midway through the first half when Robert Martins-Figueira volleyed in Euan Brodie's long-range free-kick into the box.
Harrison Moon doubled the lead when he dispossessed the goalkeeper in the 35th minute and chipped home at a windswept pitch in Holm.
Connor Maher and Hinds had more chances early in the second half as Jersey's unbeaten record extended to 10 years - they last lost a match at the Island Games in 2015 when the Isle of Man beat them in the group stages.
"I'm really happy with how we applied ourselves," Jersey manager Jack Cannon told BBC Radio Jersey.
"I thought we implemented our game plan really well.
"It's how we go on from here. Yes we've got a young team, but a lot of them have played together for a long time through junior football as well.
"It's about rising to the occasion in this setting playing in the Island Games."
The victory puts Jersey in pole position to qualify for the semi-finals from their three-team group after Gozo and Shetland played out a 0-0 draw on Sunday.
It means the 2023 champions need just a point from their meeting with Shetland on Tuesday to top Group B and secure a place in the last four.
Jersey beat Shetland to keep semi-final hopes alive
Jersey women secured their first Island Games win against Shetland
Meanwhile Jersey's women kept their hopes of a semi-final place alive after a 2-0 win over Shetland in Kirkwall.
Leah Morris and Sam Silva-Pinto went close for Jersey in the goalless first half that saw the Channel Island side have the majority of the ball.
Having lost 3-1 to reigning champions Bermuda on Sunday, Jersey knew they had to get a win if they were to have a good chance of staying in contention for a semi-final place as the best runner-up in the three-group competition.
They finally broke the deadlock after 68 minutes when Sofia Rodrigues' corner caught Shetland goalkeeper Jessica Laurenson off guard and the ball ricocheted off her back for an own goal.
Rosin Flynn made the game safe with 10 minutes to go as her cross-shot from 25 yards sailed over Laurenson and into the top corner.
Jersey face Isle of Wight - who were beaten 2-0 by Bermuda earlier on Monday - in their final group game on Tuesday.
Bermuda lead the group with six points from Jersey who have four, with Shetland and Isle of Wight on a point each.