Jersey - 2024 Home International Champions!

26-28 July 2024

The Jersey LD football squad returned from Pontefract Collieries FC in West Yorkshire as proud holders of the Mencap Home International Championship, having gone undefeated, scoring 13 goals and conceding just one.

The day started with the five teams, Jersey, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, proudly walking onto the pitch carrying flags representing their country. They lined up in front of the stand to have their national anthem played, something they and their supporters will surely not forget.

And then came the action!

England  2 - 1 Northern Ireland

Wales     1 - 0 Scotland

Jersey    3 - 0 Northern Ireland

England  2 - 1 Wales
Jersey    5 - 1 Scotland

Wales     1 - 2 Northern Ireland

England  4 - 0 Scotland

Jersey    5 - 0 Wales

Scotland 0 - 6 Northern Ireland

Jersey    0 - 0 England

Jersey 3 - 0 Northern Ireland

A superb start for Jersey against the winners of last year’s tournament. After a nervous start by both teams, Jersey took the lead with Wilson Ibbet scoring his first two goals of the day. Jordan Poole added a third goal with a precise long range free kick which was applauded by all.

Jersey 5 – 1 Scotland

Ryan Blandin, making his debut for Jersey, had a couple of early chances well saved by the Scottish goalkeeper. Wilson Ibbet then scored four goals and after a good spell of passing across the pitch, which opened up the Scottish defence, Jordan Poole slotted the ball home for Jersey’s fifth. Despite the scoreline the Scots were not dispirited and scored a consolation goal.

Jersey 5 – 0 Wales

This third win on the bounce for Jersey was similar to the Scottish game with Wilson Ibbet continuing to mesmerise the defence, scoring another four goals with Jordan Poole again adding another.

Jersey 0 – 0 England

The final game of the day was the championship decider against England with both teams starting on maximum points. A very competitive game excited all the supporters and both teams had good chances to go ahead during the first half.

A minute into the second period, Seb Leonard suffered a bad head injury after bravely going for a header from an in-swinging Jersey corner. Seb had to be withdrawn from play and taken to hospital for a check-up, with Jersey having to quickly reorganize. Sensing the opportunity, England put lots of pressure on the Jersey defence, but this was well marshalled by David Collingwood and goalkeeper, Lewis Nowell, who produced some impressive saves.

After a couple of goalmouth scrambles the final whistle was a welcome sound as Jersey knew the draw was sufficient for them to win the Championship on goal difference.

Jersey’s coaches, Gary Norman and Mark Jones, were delighted with the performances. “It was truly a team effort to win the Championship and all the players should be proud of themselves. Compared to the other nations, Jersey have little opportunity to play competitive games and that makes the achievement even more special. After Seb’s injury many of the guys had to play in unfamiliar positions on Sunday which was good experience for them, and they did well.”
 

The following day, Jersey, England, Scotland and Wales competed for the British Isles Cup.

All the results:  

Jersey    1 - 2 Scotland

England  2 - 0 Wales

England  1 - 1 Scotland

Jersey    3 - 0 Wales

Jersey    1 - 1 England

Wales     1 - 1 Scotland 

Jersey seemed complacent in their first game against Scotland, and midway through the first half they found themselves a goal down. Early in the second half, a lack of concentration and communication gifted Scotland the opportunity to score again from a free kick. Jersey did pull a goal back but there was little time left and they suffered their only loss of the weekend.

A revived Jersey played well against Wales in the second match of the day scoring three goals and keeping a clean sheet.

The final game was again against England and despite both teams being tired it was an end-to-end competitive match. The Jersey midfield ran themselves into the ground and another Jersey debutant, Jacob Meyrick, made some vital defensive tackles before England opened the scoring with a well worked goal.

In the closing minutes of the game Wilson Ibbet, who was later awarded the Player of the Tournament for Jersey by the officials, won the ball and skipped past the two English defenders who had been man marking him throughout the game and scored his fourteenth goal of the weekend.