A game that started in brilliant sunshine ended in a heavy downpour and as the 22 players trooped off, soaked to the skin, the smiles were on the faces of the Jersey players after goals by Suzanne Rosser, Jodie Botterill, Kerry Sauvage and substitute Gemma Daniel.Jersey play the Faroes in their final group match today and manager Mo Matthews will rest players but he insists his squad want to put in a good performance against the potential winners of the tournament.Matthews said: ‘We’ve achieved our aim of playing for a medal and I’m delighted.
We kept the ball well and our movement off the ball was good.
We made three changes and later three substitutions and the team continued to play confidently.
They all know each other’s role and I’ve been well impressed by their play.’Rosser, again prominent with some fine movement in attack, shot Jersey ahead with a brilliant strike of power and accuracy from 25 yards.
In the 19th minute strike partner Jodie Botterill turned well before drilling a shot into a bottom corner from 12 yards.
Becky Darts was instrumental in the build-up with a probing run into the penalty area from the right.Michaela Dawson made a fine clearance off the goal-line to preserve Jersey’s advantage and Matthews’ side continued to play the better football but they squandered some good chances.Substitute Bernadette Foody wasted a rare opportunity for the Isle of Man and they were punished again when Sauvage pounced on a rebound after goalkeeper Steph Dyer fumbled Botterill’s shot.Jersey goalkeeper Helen Lagadu dominated her penalty area while the defenders ahead of her, Nina Woods, Katie Ridley and Kristin Buttle, gave her excellent protection throughout.Substitute Daniel wrapped up Jersey’s scoring by poking the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs and, with the rain still lashing down, the Isle of Man grabbed a consolation with a dipping 25-yard effort from Eleanor Gawne.Jersey: Helen Lagadu; Nina Woods, Katie Ridley, Kirstin Buttle; Kerry Sauvage, Sarah Gavey, Sarah Armstrong, Becky Darts (Gemma Daniel, 65), Michaela Dawson; Suzanne Rosser, Jodie Botterill (Joanne Fuller, 73).
