The Jersey Cup

Islip: G. Tuffrey B. Walker C.Allen T. Clarke C. Jones J. Day R. Evans N. Day R. Carter S. Thomas M. Sherrell C. Tuffrey

Islip Scorers: Mick Sherrell 2

Heyford Athletic: G. Smith A. Couling A. Brock J. Varney R. Brock B. Badby P. Brock J. Williams D. Brock J. Hughes B. Brock W. Faulkner

Heyford Athletic Scorers:

The 71st Jersey Cup final as usual played on the Bicester Town Ground on Easter Monday, was favoured with beautiful weather and a crowd of over 800 attended the match.

Islip, whose last appearance in the final was way back in 1947-48, and Heyford Athletic, who were making a tenth appearance in the Jersey Cup final, were the contestants. Islip having won the cup twice and the Athletic five times. These teams have been in close rivalry all season for Shield Division 1 honours, and Islip have an undefeated record in Jersey F.A. football.

Contrary to expectation the play did not reach the high standard these top Division 1 sides were thought capable of. Islip’s chief strength lying in their very strong defence, their tall defenders having the advantage in the air.

Heyford Athletic with a number of cup medals winners in their side, including Alan Couling and John Williams, formerly with Kirtlington, were under pressure as Islip made a strong opening bid. In the eight minute, Evans retrieved a ball going out of play and took it down before crossing it and Mick Sherrell steered it home.

The Athletic faced confidently the pressure put on by Islip who were greatly encouraged by their goal, and gradually took up the offensive, but their forwards were guilty of some weak finishing, and at other times the strong opposing defence kept them out. Four minutes to half-time the Athletic were presented with a guilt-edged chance to equalise by means of a penalty for hands, and as David Brock had so confidently been hammering home spot kicks this season it looks odds on a goal accruing. As so often happens, however, David was found wanting at a crucial moment, and drove the penalty spot kick straight at the goalkeeper. Heyford had the edge up to the break, but Islip were dangerous when on the attack.

The Athletic exerted great pressure in the second half, but the forwards so often failed to control the ball sufficiently to round off excellent approach work. Tuffrey, in the Islip goal, excelled with some great saves. Using the long ball and bringing their wingers into the game, Islip gradually moved more prominently into the picture, and twice the opposing goalie had to run from his goal to kick clear. With barely a minute left Islip set up an attack, Steve Thomas finding Dickie Carter for a quick pass to Sherrell and the ball was in the net. Islip’s prolific scorer all season having fittingly got two of the most important of his goals to give his team the Jersey Cup.

So Heyford, who had generally shown the better football and had enjoyed, possibly the greater share of the play, failed against a side strong in defence who had in their attack a potential match winner in Mick Sherrell.

Mr Harry Hawtin, a life vice-president of the Jersey F.A. presented the cup and mementoes and is customary the match ball to the runners-up. The referee received the usual silver whistle, suitably inscribed, and his linesman each a plaque.

The usual blanket collection at half-time which is a feature at the Jersey Cup final, realised over £20 for the Oxon F.A. Benevolent Fund, to which was added by the Bicester Town Club 50/-, their “per cent fee” from the ice cream vendor, another happy reminder of the liaison which exist between the club and the Jersey F.A. The facilities generously placed at the disposal of the Association by the Football Club and their yearly co-operation is greatly appreciated