Jersey Ladies First 4
Izzy Heelis, Larissa Rankin (2), Natacha Kay
Jamey Henderson
Guernsey Ladies First 1
Caryn Vorster
HT: 3-1
F-T: 5-1
Player of the match: Emma Bower (Jersey)
THREE long years was the wait for Jersey Ladies to host the inter-insular and it was certainly worth the wait.
Jersey took the lead through Izzy Heelis when the ball was turned over by Guernsey high up the pitch.
Kathryn Godfrey picked out Heelis with a lovely pass which was slapped into the top corner beyond the helpless Guernsey goalkeeper.
Caryn Vorster hit back for the travelling Sarnians as they made pressure count with various opportunities from short corners.
Jersey, however, grew back into the game and added a second through Larrisa Rankin from open play.
Effie Bowley attacked through the left shoulder of the D and passed into Rankin, who scored via a deflection off the right post.
The Caesareans pushed on and added a vital third before the break through the captain Natacha Kay.
Jersey had a short corner which was struck by Jamey Henderson.
The Guernsey goalkeeper saved well, but Kay was on hand to bury the rebound.
Henderson then got the goal she was searching for after the break when Kay returned the favour.
Kay received a short corner who fed Henderson to slap home.
Jersey continued to press and in the dying embers of the contest, they put the icing on the cake.
By way of penalty corner a Kathryn Godfrey hit was deflected off Rankin for her second of the day and a 5-1 success for Jersey Ladies First.
Emma Bower’s rounded performance earned her the player-of-the-match spoils in a comprehensive victory for manager Simon Watling’s side.
Watling said: ‘As these fixtures always are, it was hugely competitive.’
‘I think our early goal really settled us and allowed us to weather the storm in the first half when they were on top for a spell of the game.’
‘We knew that we had goals in us, it was just vital to get that composure through midfield, which I thought we did a wonderful job of.’
‘Back in November when we played last, I did feel like we were a little rusty. We wanted to come into this being a little more direct and aggressive and they responded perfectly.
‘I am immensely proud of the way they went about their task today.’
Jersey captain Kay has worn the armband for her side for multiple years now, but the occasion was not lost on her.
Kay said: ‘We were not very clinical in front of goal last November.’
‘We wanted to go and get something whenever we were inside their D and really stretch the pitch.
‘The Jersey support has been great and playing on our home pitch always helps. There is a sense of familiarity which always makes playing here more comfortable.
‘It is a real honour to captain my Island. It is my fourth time as captain and we have retained the trophy each time.
‘There is a feeling that this team continue to grow stronger year on year and to lead these girls is something I am immensely proud of.’
Jersey Ladies First: Emily Le Feuvre, Natacha Kay(c), Gemma Minty, Effie Bowley, Emma Bower, Harley Cadoret, Kathryn Godfrey, Lucinda Gouveia, Izzy Heelis, Chrissie Helmholt-Kneisel, Jamey Henderson, Larissa Rankin, Kerry Rogers, Hannah Scriven, Harriet Neal, Chloe Lagadu.
Jersey Ladies Second: Harriet Neal, Emily Sabin, Zoe Smart (c), Trudy Dillon-Nugent, Gaby Deane, Holly Stearn, Chloe Lagadu, Becky Henwood-Darts, Ciara McQuaid, Kelly Cutting, Annie Bolle-Jones, Emma Grange, Roisin Flynn, Grace Wetherall, Sarah Jenkins.
Jersey Ladies Third: Laura Besnard, Izzy Byrom, Helen Richardson, Daisy Carpenter, Katie Doyle, Analise Merritt, Bridget Le Brocq, Grace Boardman, Liv Maryon, Olivia Labesse, Lena Holden, Lottie James, Sarah Heelis, Kate Jubb, Sarah Quenault, Ava Le Cornu.
