But team boss Peter Vincenti was pleased with his squad’s first outing: ‘They showed excellent ability to pass the ball and keep possession.
St Ouen gave us a very physical, stern test, but we dominated for for periods of the match and that was pleasing.
Although the manager says last night’s squad, with the addition of St Peter’s James Quinn and First Tower’s Sam Dewhust and Tony McGuire, will now stay together to train for the 4 November Muratti, the door is not closed on others breaking in.
‘There will still be opportunities for other players to join the squad and my back room team will be scouting in this respect.’ The youngsters dominated the opening period and Bradley Russell headed them ahead from an excellent cross by Luke Watson.
St Ouen had the better of the remainder of the half, however, and Joe Murphy, who was exceptional throughout, shot past ‘keeper Gregg Forster ten minutes before the break.
Said St Ouen boss Steve Pallett: Jersey have some exceptional players, but we gave them a good competitive game.
They obviously had to give a lot of players match time and that must have disrupted them, but overall I think they’ll be pleased.’ The U21s, now missing captain Peter Vincenti junior after a first-half injury, had further opportunities to score through Ryan Le Cornu and Jack Cannon but, with two Craig Russell efforts being ruled out by ref Andy Cox and his two 16-year-old linesman, it was St Ouen who took the result with Murphy’s second of the night, his early 25-yard shot taking Max Jouan by surprise.
Said Vincenti: ‘I mentioned to the players that the squad will stay together and that though there may be problems with some individuals returning to university, that is something that I will deal with.’ The following squad have training at Les Quennevais on 26, 28 October and 1 and 3 November ahead of the Muratti against Guernsey on Saturday, 4 November: Greg Foster, Max Jouan (both Wanderers), Matt Brookland, Craig Russell, Kieran Norman, Jason Andrade (all St Paul’s), Luke Watson (Jersey Scottish), Tom Poole, Sam Dewhurst, Tony McGuire (all First Tower), Danny Hughes, Tom Wherry (both Grouville); Joel Speight, Arran Maynard, Ryan Durrand, Peter Vincenti jnr, Jack Cannon, Bradley Russell, James Quinn, Lucas Parker (all St Peter), Ryan Le Cornu (Rozel Rovers), Sean Doran (Sporting Academics).
