Leandro Vieira scored a hat-trick for the Island’s secondary schools U15 select side as they came from behind to beat the hosts 5-2 – setting up a last-16 clash with Brighton & Hove in the hunt for national honours.
The current crop are the first Jersey squad to be entered in this competition since 2011/12 and they continued to show that their absence was not due to a lack of ability.
And coach Mark Logue says belief is mounting.
‘Plymouth were a very strong team,’ he said. ‘In the first half they played us off the park.
‘But our goalkeeper Jacob Videgrain made two wonder saves and in the second half we were a completely different team. We matched them physically and technically … it definitely was a game of two halves.
‘It was a great overall team performance. They all did really well.’
Logue added: ‘The boys have now seen the competition out there and they’re matching them. Confidence is building in the camp and they’re all hungry for more games.’
After seeing off Poole & East Dorset 4-1 in round two last month, Jersey’s hopes of further progress looked dim in the opening stages as Plymouth took the tie by the scruff of the neck. They deservedly led at the break, but the Caesareans responded superbly in the second half to stun their Devonshire hosts.
Vieira grabbed his first within two minutes of the restart and strike-partner Harry Scott made it 2-1 soon after with a sweet strike from 20 yards.
The Caesareans moved two goals in front before the hour following a mistake by the home goalkeeper – pounced upon by Vieira – and while Plymouth did pull one back their hopes of a recovery were not long lasting.
Vieira made it 4-2 after beating two players on the run and Miguel Carvalho sealed the victory in the closing stages.
