Fresh faces continue chase for league title

St Brelade's Declan O'Connell is on the move Picture: DAVID FERGUSON. (32424749)

PREMIERSHIP leaders St Clement restarted their bid for a first JFA Combination Premiership title with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Sporting Academics.

Daniel Tostevin put the home side up on the stroke of half-time on Saturday afternoon and then doubled the lead early in the second half. Charlie Batty made it three before a late own-goal from Barry Keith completed the win.

Fellow contenders St Brelade and Grouville also outlined their threat as challengers for the crown with hard-fought victories.

The former had to wait until the 94th minute to find a winner, when Declan O’Connell scored at the death to secure a 2-1 home win over JTC Jersey Wanderers, following Kieran Quérée’s earlier strike. Logan McGhee was on target for Wanderers.

Meanwhile, a perfect hat-trick from Harrison Moon helped Grouville fight back from 3-1 down to beat defending champions St Paul’s 4-3. Robert Martins-Figueira was also on target for the Blues, following a Jack Cannon penalty and two goals from Kieran Lester. The result leaves St Paul’s rooted to the bottom of the table.

Just above them are Rozel Rovers, who gained a vital home point in a 2-2 draw with St Ouen. Former Shrewsbury Town League Two professional Gavin Cadwallader scored both goals for the Seagulls.

In the Championship, leaders Portuguese United dropped their first points of the season with a 3-3 draw away to an improved St Lawrence side, while First Tower United fell to a 2-1 defeat in the hands of St Clement Reserves. George Williams scored for Tower, with Sammy Kermin and Sam Darwin finding the net for St Clement.

Dragoes de Jersey maintained their position at the top of Division I with a 4-0 away win against St John Reserves, while St Paul’s Reserves made light work of strugglers Sports Club of Jersey with a 5-0 win at FB Fields.

In Division II, Sporting Academics Reserves found a winner in added time for a thrilling 5-4 victory over Trinity, while St John C fought hard to beat Jersey Wanderers C 5-3.

Diogo Franca (two), Kyle Devenish, Xavier Bosio and Daniel Dawson all scored for Accies, with Harry Kidman, Phil Helleur and Jay Mallinson registering for Trinity, alongside an own goal.

Grouville kept up their O35 Division title hopes with a 3-1 win against St Ouen. Michael Teixeira, twice, and Richard Stevens scored for Grouville, with Jimmy Styles pulling one back for St Ouen. Meanwhile, Trinity came from behind to beat Beeches 3-2 and St Lawrence were held to a 1-1 draw by St Martin.

Barry Beatson (two) and Chris Gallagher scored for Trinity, with Ian Doyle and Simon Gilley on target for Beeches.

In the U18 Division, St Peter battered Rozel Rovers 14-2 and in the U16 Division Jersey Wanderers held off a fightback from home side Trinity to win 3-2. In the same division, St Brelade beat Grouville 2-0 and St Paul’s battled to a 4-1 win over St Lawrence.

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