Jersey Wanderers 2
Luke Coutanche 65; Harry Scott 74
Grouville 1
Andre Nunes 45+1JEP Man of the Match: Luke CoutancheAttendance: 209
“HEART and desire” were the traits required by Jersey Wanderers to lift the first trophy available in the fledgling Jersey FA Combination season.
For manager Chris Gill and assistant Sam Quail, in their inaugural season with the westerners, it could hardly have started better, with a comeback victory to defeat Grouville 2-1 in the Charity Cup final at Springfield Stadium.
“It was a complete squad performance,” said Gill.
“I thought the five players who came off the bench were outstanding and for me, as a manager, that was the most pleasing aspect.
“There was plenty of heart and desire in the lads to pick themselves back up after falling behind, I’m so proud of them all.
“This win gives us great confidence heading into the season that we can beat anyone in this league.”
The opening exchanges saw both sides press and probe, with Grouville boss Dave Fitton without a handful of key names, most notably striker Harrison Moon and defender Jack Griffin – both of whom made the switch from St Peter ahead of the new season.
While the Groove shaded the volume of attacks, Wanderers had the more clear-cut – but there were no willing participants on the end of some threatening balls from the wings.
The game looked destined for a goalless first 45, before Grouville marksman Andre Nunes fired off the post and harmlessly wide.
However, Wanderers lost possession cheaply from the ensuing goal kick, which was poached by Jake Mulholland deep in opposition territory.
The number ten found Nunes once more, who made no mistake this time with a collected finish beyond Robbie Scott.
With a risk of Wanderers heads dropping, the second half brought a new lease of life for Gill’s charges.
They would go close on 55 minutes, as Josh Coutanche’s slaloming run earned a free kick 25 yards from goal, which his brother Luke struck sweetly, agonisingly striking the woodwork and going behind to safety.
The threat was building though and it was Luke Coutanche who squared the game.
Jamie Ritzema threaded a precise pass through two defenders in blue, and Coutanche collected, nipped inside and coolly slotted past Tom Bisson in the Groove goal.
Harry Scott’s introduction for Wanderers proved fruitful, with the forward finding pockets of space between the Grouville lines in attack.
It would be Scott himself who buried the eventual winner.
After Wanderers captain Chris Mourant’s shot was well blocked, the ball fell kindly to Scott on the edge of the area, who fired beyond Bisson on the half-volley with venom.
Grouville would have a golden chance to square the game late on, but goalkeeper Scott was able to charge out to push the ball away from substitute Jack Da Silva who was clean through.
A goalmouth scramble ensued, but Wanderers defence held firm to seal victory and the first silverware of the year.
Despite defeat, Grouville can hold their heads high after a strong pre-season, highlighted by a brilliant 5-0 victory over reigning Premiership 1 champions St Clement.
Boss Fitton said: “We are proud of the way the pre-season has gone.
“We obviously wanted to win this final, and it’s disappointing not to come away with the trophy, but the best team on the night won, so fair play to Chris [Gill], Sam [Quail] and to the players.
“They were very well organised, and they deserved it. So we go again next year.
“It’s a long old season and there are many more cups and the league title to fight for.
“We had a few missing, but we had every faith the squad was deep enough to win this.
“Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case this time, but we can look forward to welcoming some players back and we will bounce back and come back stronger from this.”
Jersey Wanderers: Robbie Scott, Alex Durance (Harry Scott 62), Josh Coutanche, Chris Mourant (c) (Renato Geraldo 79), Max Corbett, Kamen Nafkha (Noah Risby 44) James Murphy (Kyle Stratford 73), Jamie Mourant (vc), Arthur Illingworth (Michael Hood 75), Jamie Ritzema, Luke Coutanche
Grouville: Tom Bisson, Callum Coote (Jack Da Silva 81), Robert Martins-Figueira (Callum Barry 89), Edgar Da Costa, Brad Le Mercier, Charlie Breese, Jules Gabbiadini, Charlie Payn (c) (Harry Ecobichon 77), Andre Nunes, Jake Mulholland (vc), Logan McGhee (Evan Nobes 69). Unused: Will Catney (GK)
