“Baby Jess” seals an unforgettable win for Ynys Môn’s women in Guernsey

GUERNSEY ISLAND GAMES 2023

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL GROUP C

Guernsey 2 (Hedley 34 pen, 40)
Ynys Môn 3 (E Jones 8, Cox 29, J Jones 72)

“Baby” Jess Jones was the toast of Ynys Môn after her fantastic second half winner clinched a famous victory for Dan Gregg’s side at Corbet Field.

Showing six changes from the starting line-up which lost 6-1 to Western Isles on Sunday, Anglesey were on fire from the start.

With Jen Cox’s aggressive running up front unsettling the Guernsey defence, the Welsh side took an eighth-minute lead.

Jittery defending from Stephanie Batiste led to Cox pressuring keeper Emma Queripel and the ball broke for Amlwch Town’s Ellie Jones to find the net.

Cox was unplayable as she broke through on two occasions, but Queripel was twice her equal.

Then in the 29th minute came a deserved second for Ynys Môn.

The outstanding Charlotte Gill played a neat through ball for Llangefni Town’s Cox to put away her first goal of the tournament.

Soon after Cox burst through again, but this time Queripel made a great stop. A third goal at that point and it may well have been all over.

As it was, Guernsey raised their game and by half time were level thanks to a double from 18-year-old livewire Calleigh Hedley.

On 34 minutes Hedley was pulled back in the area and lashed home the resultant penalty.

In the 40th minute a comedy of errors at the back from Anglesey led to Hedley rounding keeper Ceri Pritchard to score.

Half-time 2-2 and all to play for.

The second half was fiercely competitive stuff, but Ynys Môn were the more dangerous in attack.

And the Welsh contingent were overjoyed when they regained the lead in the 72nd minute.

Gill again fed a great ball forward and 17-year-old wonder Jess Jones of Llangefni Town (nicknamed Baby Jess due to her youth) hit a stunning instant right-footed volley across the keeper into the far corner, giving sub gloveswoman Kayleigh Marquis no chance.

Ynys Môn still had to be wary of the speed of Hedley up front and the youngster went through, rounded Pritchard, but great defending from Carol Lewis forced the Guernsey girl wide and she could only find the side-netting.

Anglesey had chances to seal it, but sub Tesni Hughes and Ellie Jones were out of luck.

However, Gregg’s girls held on for a fantastic win, Guernsey with a last-gasp miss in added time.

Ynys Môn now have to wait for tomorrow’s Western Isles v Guernsey result to find out if they progress in the tournament.

Ynys Môn: Ceri Pritchard, Carol Lewis (c), Emma Roberts, Nia Ginnelly, Jen Cox, Mia Roberts, Charlotte Gill, Jess Jones, Sara Furlong, Joanna Bramwell, Ellie Jones.
SUBS: Cerys Gadd, Tesni Hughes, Ashleigh Jones, Marissa George.