The Jersey Learning Disability Football Team returned from the very well run Wrexham Inclusion FC tournament with mixed emotions.

The hosts went out of their way to make Jersey feel welcome and some of their club members and coaches organised an enjoyable fun day of football golf the day before the tournament. With their knowledge of the course, the Wrexham players had the lowest score cards but the Jersey players didn’t disgrace themselves after the two rounds of 9 holes, which is more than can be said of their coaches!

The tournament was played on the 4G surface at the New Saints football club, home of the Welsh Premier League champions. The 24 teams were divided into three leagues of eight teams each, with Jersey placed in league 1, the second ability level.

All of the seven games were competitive and the Jersey players defended well, closed the opposing team down and took their goal scoring opportunities. This resulted with Jersey topping their league having won five and drawn two games, scoring twelve goals and conceding only one. The results in the round-robin league games were:

• Jersey 2 - 0 Leek B
• St Christopher’s 0 - 0 Jersey
• Woodlands 0 - 2 Jersey
• Jersey 4 - 1 Wrexham B
• Autonomy 0 - 3 Jersey
• Jersey 0 - 0 City Knights
• Doncaster B 0 - 1 Jersey 

The top four teams in the league went through to the knock out round and Jersey were drawn against Wrexham B.  A few nerves showed at the beginning of the game but Jersey soon gained their composure and took control of the game. Despite having the majority of possession, Jersey were unable to take their few opportunities against a very defensive Wrexham team and the game ended goalless. A best of three penalty shoot-out followed and unfortunately Jersey were beaten 2 - 1.

The squad would like to thank Sir James Knott Trust and Unite for their support.