Following a stunning 5-2 victory over Dorset Premier League in the FA Inter-League Cup semi-final, Jersey Football Combination will take on West Cheshire Football League in the competition’s delayed final at St. George’s Park on Sunday 9 May 2021 (2pm KO).

The competition took a year-long pause as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a suspension of competitive football. Whilst the West Cheshire Football League booked their place in the final back in March 2020, Jersey FA were forced to wait until 27 April 2021 to play their semi-final against Dorset Premier League.

A hat-trick from Jake Prince and goals from Fraser Barlow and Jonny Le Quesne secured Jersey Football Combination’s progression to the showpiece final at the home of England’s national teams.

Sunday’s appearance in the Inter-League Cup final will be Jersey Football Combination’s first since 2012, although Martin Cassidy’s side will be hoping for a similar outcome, as the island’s league side defeated the Isle of Man 2-1 in Douglas to win the title.

It’s been an incredible journey for Jersey Football Combination, who opened their campaign with a 7-0 victory over Somerset County League in the first round back in September 2019. An away 2-1 win over Amateur Football Combination followed in the second round, before Jersey Football Combination defeated Southern Amateur League 2-0 in the third round, in what would be their final fixture in the competition until last month.

“We have produced some very good football in this tournament and plan to continue that into the final,” said manager Martin Cassidy in the build-up to Sunday’s climax.

“Our toughest game was away to Southern Amateur FA in the second round. The 2-1 win in extra time with 10 men provided a massive turning point for us.

“The squad is mostly made up of the young squad we took to the island games in Wales,” he added. “The group learned a valuable lesson there on game management and have put that right this time round. The team is full of talent, hard workers and hungry for big games like this.

“We have used a lot of players to get us to the final and I would like to thank all of them for their effort and commitment in helping Jersey Football Combination get to this final.

“We need to keep believing that we can win. This is the players’ time to win a major competition for Jersey FA. Personally, I’m very proud to be leading Jersey Football Combination into this major final. We want to win this for everyone connected to the island. It’s only the second time in our history that we have reached the final, so it’s a big deal for us all.”