Jersey FA Select IX v Everton

Result: Jersey FA Select IX (0) 1 - Everton (5) 10
Scorers: Jersey Player (Unknown); Barmby 4, Ferguson 2, Speed 2, Thomsen, McCann

Jersey FA Select IX: No team details available

Ref: Unknown

Att: 4,500

Previous Match: Everton v Nottingham Forest -- Next Match: Coventry City v Everton

The Jersey Goalfest

Ed Pepper: What can I say?? A great pitch, brand new stand, great night. I have to say first of all, to all those who have been having a go at Royle, that night I saw the man, not the manager, and I have to say that he is a wonderful guy... I mean, would you see Roy Evans stand for half an hour after the team had gone in, signing autographs for hundreds of little kids, in the cold?? I had the honour of touching HIM, and may I say it was a great experience... I also sat right near PJ, which was amazing!!

There are a lot of scousers on Jersey, so this game was popular, with a sell-out crowd. The main stand is the only stand, with the other 3 sides being grass banks. It is brand new, with Coventry having the first fixture a couple of months ago, which also finished 10-1. The boys came out for a kick about, and quickly got swamped with kids... There must have been almost a thousand on the pitch! They signed autographs for about 20 mins, as they slowly waded towards the tunnel. Dunc was really nice to them, and SMILED!! Barmby wasn't... Earl, Short and Speed stayed out the longest -- nice blokes!!

To begin with, Everton took it easy, and soaked up pressure. Jersey got a couple of shots in the right direction at this stage, and when, after 15 mins it was still 0-0, I was a little nervous. You see I have a curse, and I was secretly worried that we would not come away winners! It did not help when a little kid turned to me and said 'Coventry were 3 up by now'! But soon the goal fest began... 5-0 at the break, Thomsen, then Barmby twice, Dunc and McCann, who is a small bloody miracle!!

Now, I know that it was only the Jersey Select XI, but I could notice a few things:

1. McCann is Parky plus Granty, but younger!! He had a great game.
2. Hottiger was OUTPACED by an opponent toward the end of the half, and he was huffing and puffing!! He is on his was out for definite!
3. Earl looked like a sprinter, as he raced passed players with ease!

So, as the second half began, Jersey made the first four of a total of 9 subs, including bringing off the MOTM, their goalie, who kept out numerous shots. For Everton, Hottiger came off, and Allen came on.

Everton stepped up a gear, just to show that they could, and for 20 mins Jersey must have touched the ball about once a minute! Another two goals for Barmby, one for Dunc. Phelan and Speed rounded off a game with no cards, minimal stoppages, and so many offsides it was comical! They would hoof the ball over Earl, to a player a good 5-10 yards off side, Earl would stride after it, collect and stride off!

The one point of note was their goal. Jersey attacked, Short and Earl neutralised the danger, and Short gives it to Gerrard. He walks around with it for a while, then when an opponent approached, he tired to dribble round him... He failed, there was a scramble, and the Jersey player recovered well to fire it goalward. The team just looked at Gerrard, and walked away.

At this point I must say that I don't approve of Nev's flouncing around at being dropped -- he should take it like Barmby did. But with Gerrard around he should not have problems with getting back in the team... I am beginning to develop a healthy dislike of him!

So, basically, a nice evening, with many good points, and well worth 75 quid. Best of all, my girlfriend came along, and cheered like mad when Jersey scored, as she went throught the revelation we all have... Watching your teams score IS FARRRRRR better than sex!!!