Jersey claim football gold medal

Jean-Paul Martyn opened the scoring to set Jersey on the road to gold

Jersey are the first team to win three football gold medals in the history of the Island Games after beating host side Aland 2-1 in a thrilling final.

A crowd of around 3000 at the Wiklof Holding Arena in Mariehamn witnessed Jean-Paul Martyn and Chris Andrews give Jersey a 2-0 lead after 54 minutes.

But a late strike from Andreas Björk made for a nervy final few moments.

The win is Jersey's first gold for 12 years, following their wins at the 1993 and 1997 Island Games.

Jersey manager Craig Culkin told BBC Jersey afterwards: "It's hard to put into words. I'm delighted for the boys.

We're the best team in the competition

Jersey manager Craig Culkin

"The belief was there we could win the gold, but the biggest thing has been the team spirit and morale.

"We're the best team in the competition."

In the third-place play-off, Guernsey romped to a 5-0 victory over Isle of Man to take the bronze medal, courtesy of a second-half hat-trick from Simon Tostevin.

Craig Young and Ross Allen popped up with the other goals to treat the crowd at the Solvallen Stadium in Eckero to a goal feast.

Aland: Björk, Enqvist, Isaksson, Jansson (Erikslund 67), Lindholm, Nordström, Signell, Snickars, Sundman, Weckström (Karring 67), Welin (Amani 81).
Subs not used: Gestranius, Lindholm, Lindström, Söderdahl.

Goals: Bjork 84

Jersey: Andre, Andrews (Watson 86), Cannon, Crick (Reid 81), Le Feuvre, Le Roux, Lucas (Gallichan 73) Martyn, Queree, Styles, Watson.
Subs not used: Bird, Hayward, Russell, Weir

Goals: Martyn 18, Andrews 54

Ref: Nermin Cisic