Ynys Mon 2019: Jersey hit seven in dominant display at Inter-Island Games
Jersey's men continued their impressive start to the Inter-Island Games in Ynys Mon with a dominant 7-0 win over the Western Isles.
Goals from teenage striker Sol Solomon (4), Kieran Lester (2) and a Karl Hinds penalty ensured Martin Cassidy’s side sit top of their group after the first two days of action.
“Jersey did fantastically well today with such a young team against a very physical opposition,” said Jersey FA vice president Bradley Vowden.
“We played some excellent football on a difficult surface. It was encouraging to see so many youngsters getting an opportunity and performing on such a stage, playing as well as we hoped they would in this international tournament.”
On another windy evening Lester continued on from where he left off against Orkney the previous day, when he had scored four first half goals, to net twice again in the opening half an hour.
He turned in the first from close range before superbly heading home his second from an accurate Jay Giles cross. Moments later Lester fired one against the bar as he went agonisingly close to consecutive hat tricks.
Solomon made it three just before half time despite loud and long appeals from the Western Isles that he had been in an offside position.
Hinds extended the Jersey lead just after the hour mark, sending goalkeeper Jack Maclennan the wrong way from the penalty spot after Fraser Barlow had been fouled in the box following an excellent run down the left.
Solomon made it five and then completed his hat trick by coolly slotting away from the penalty spot. Jersey were awarded a third penalty soon after, but substitute Zeljko Martinovic was unable to convert.
Solomon wrapped up the comprehensive win though, arrowing in a well-placed strike in the 90th minute to complete another impressive display from Cassidy’s side.
They take on the hosts Ynys Mon on Tuesday (7.30pm) knowing a win or draw would seal top spot in the group and provide a passage through to the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, the island’s women face Gibraltar (6.30pm) with the winners of that game guaranteed a semi-final spot.