The FA Inter-League Cup has returned to Jersey, after the Jersey Football Combination stormed to a 5-1 win over the West Cheshire League at St. George’s Park on Sunday 9 May.

With Jersey in the final for only the second time in the competition’s history, Martin Cassidy’s side went into the clash eager to make history for the island – and his Jersey Football Combination team didn’t disappoint, putting in an emphatic performance to secure silverware.

It took just four minutes for Jersey Football Combination to take the lead. After seeing West Cheshire League hit the upright, a superb counter-attack and link-up between Jake Prince and Ruben Mendes led to Prince slotting away the opener.

Jersey extended their lead five minutes later from the penalty spot, after Sol Solomon was fouled inside the area. Luke Campbell stepped up to put the ball in the back of the net.

Solomon managed to get on the scoresheet himself just shy of the 15-minute mark, capitalising on a slip from the West Cheshire goalkeeper to give the island a 3-0 lead. Despite continued efforts on goal, that was the score going into the half-time break, with Euan Van Der Vliet doing well to deny West Cheshire a goal five minutes shy of the interval.

After the restart, Van Der Vliet produced more heroics to deny a West Cheshire goal when left one-on-one. It took until the 62nd minute for Jersey to grab the game’s fourth goal. A terrific pass by Mendes picked out Solomon, who did well to get his second of the final.

Whilst West Cheshire did grab a goal back with 15 minutes of the game remaining, it proved to be little more than a consolation, as a bullet header from Luca Margaroli sealed the 5-1 victory for Jersey on the stroke of full-time. 

After the game, Martin Cassidy was understandably delighted, saying: “I'm so proud of the group of players that have helped us get to final and win it. The players gave a great team performance with some excellent individual pieces of brilliance. The game plan worked perfectly and the players delivered a masterclass at times.

“We had an early scare when they hit the post in the first minute, then the boys came out the traps and were clinical with their movement, timing and finishing. 

“Prince and Solomon where a constant threat and are two great young players, whilst Euan, our ‘keeper, made four big saves in the second half.

“Everything we planned for came good in the final. With eight players under 23, the future for Jersey is looking good.

“Huge thanks to all the local clubs, managers and players who have supported us throughout this competition. Team work helped to make the dream work.”

Congratulations to all involved on this magnificent achievement.

Team: Euan Van Der Vliet, Jay Giles, James Queree, Luke Campbell, Jonny Le Quesne, Adam Trotter, Ruben Mendes, Kamen Nafkha (Luca Margaroli, 56), Sol Solomon (Kieran Lester, 70), Fraser Barlow (Logan McGhee, 84), Jake Prince

Unused Subs: Luke Duncan, Declan O’Connell