U 16 Boys' Hockey Report (Girls report to follow)1

Click on link below to see the ITV round up of the boys and girls Inter Insular matches held on 21.1.18

https://www.facebook.com/TonyCurrITV/videos/1803523966384713/

EH Junior Championships 2017 / 18

Boys U16s Tier 1 – South Cluster, League 1

Jersey, Sunday 21st January 2018

Summary

Jersey 6, Guernsey 0

A superb team performance on Sunday in all areas of the pitch saw Jersey’s Junior U16s Boys hockey side take 3 important points in their home National Championships League encounter against old foes Guernsey.  The match also doubled up as the annual InterInsular, which the Caesareans retained.

Played in Jersey in front of an appreciative and boisterous home crowd under grey and misty conditions, Jersey’s boys were buoyed by the victory of the Jersey Girls to win back their InterInsular Trophy and they dominated the match from the start.  The home side passed and moved the ball maturely for players of this age and Jersey won all the important 50-50 battles all over the pitch, effectively removing any threat from the visitors.

Frequently picking the ball up from the Guernsey defence, Jersey raced into an early two goal lead, both put away by the speedy Jacob Bell, the first being a reverse stick shot low to the Guernsey keeper’s right and the second a slap from close range after good approach work from midfielder Chris Thomas.

Two more Jersey goals came before half time, the first when attacker Tom Heelis drove skilfully along the base line and drew the keeper allowing Rhys Thomas a close-range finish.  Just before the half ended, Jersey striker Charlie Mossop drove towards the keeper and scored with a deft flick from a narrow angle at the near post.

With goal difference potentially being a factor for the final League standings, Jersey pushed on and created a host of second half chances.  The fifth goal came from a well-rehearsed short corner routine deflection from the influential Jersey captain Adam Gower and with full time almost up a period of intense Jersey pressure in the Guernsey D led to a cross from the left to the unmarked Heelis at the far post for a tap in from a narrow angle.

Full Match Report

Jersey 6, Guernsey 0

A superb team performance on Sunday in all areas of the pitch saw Jersey’s Junior U16s Boys hockey side take 3 important points in their National Championships League encounter against old foes Guernsey.  The match also doubled up as the annual InterInsular, which the Caesareans retained.

The day’s grey and misty conditions had caused havoc with Guernsey’s travel and the organisers had to cut short the day’s plans, which meant having to cancel the popular Mixed matches.  Immediately prior to the Boys’ match, the Jersey Girls U16s had beaten Guernsey 2-1 to win back their InterInsular Trophy and this result definitely gave the crowd and the Jersey Boys a lift.  Despite the gloomy and unpleasant conditions, the home support turned out in force and created a wonderful atmosphere.

Jersey’s boys dominated their match from the start and the home side passed and moved the ball maturely for players of this age and Jersey won all the important 50-50 battles all over the pitch, effectively removing any threat from the visitors.

Central midfielder Toby Treharne had a fantastic match and was present and dominant all over the pitch, winning tackles and distributing the ball well.  When the Sarnians did manage to get the ball forward, central defenders Xav Barette and Chris Carnegie intercepted and tackled strongly and there were rarely any threats on the Jersey goal.

Frequently picking the ball up from the Guernsey defence, Jersey raced into an early two goal lead, both put away by the speedy Jacob Bell.  Jersey won the ball again in a dangerous area and Bell unleashed a reverse stick shot low to the Guernsey keeper’s right to give Jersey the lead.  Shortly after he added his second with a slap from close range after good approach work from midfielder Chris Thomas.

Two more Jersey goals came before half time, the first when attacker Tom Heelis drove skilfully along the base line and drew the keeper allowing Rhys Thomas a close-range finish.  Just before the half ended, Jersey striker Charlie Mossop drove towards the keeper and scored with a deft flick from a narrow angle at the near post.

Turning round four goals to the good, Jersey had totally dominated the first half with defenders Robbie Forrest, Aidan Boyle and Dylan Kotedia snuffing out any wide threats and supporting the Jersey attack when possible.  In fact, it the 23rd minute of the match before Guernsey got into the Jersey D and had a shot at goal, which was well saved by Jersey keeper Henry Dawson.

With goal difference potentially being a factor for the final League standings, Jersey pushed on and created a host of second half chances, most of which were unfortunately not converted.  Jamie Watling was having a great game showing intelligent movement and good close skills, helping to slow any Guernsey passes and supporting the Jersey strikers.

The fifth goal came from a well-rehearsed short corner routine “Right Nugget” deflection at the far post from the influential Jersey captain Adam Gower, who was having an awesome game in midfield, using his movement and stick skills to great effect.

There followed the best move of the match.  Midfield pressure saw Jersey win the ball and it was fed quickly forward to Bell, who skinned his marker and found himself one-on-one with the keeper.  Unselfishly he slipped the ball sideways to team mate Jay Cracknell who was in a better position but the attempt on goal was narrowly wide.

Jersey’s dominance was such that Guernsey won their only short corner of the match in the 24th minute of the second half, which was well defended against Guernsey’s star player, who was well marshalled throughout the match.

With full time almost up, a period of intense Jersey pressure in the Guernsey D led to a cross from the left to the unmarked Heelis at the far post for a tap in from a narrow angle.

The Jersey boys now head off to Marden in Kent for a tough match but if they can pull off a win and if results in their favour in other matches, goal difference could still see Jersey qualify for the Regionals round for the third year running.

Squad