By By Archie Corbett

Copyright jerseyeveningpost

ALL eight Premiership 1 teams were in action over the weekend and this Saturday afternoon of football, did not disappoint.

It was another fiercely competitive round of action in the local football league’s top flight, as Premiership 1 once again showed just how little separates the island’s best.

All four fixtures were split by a single goal across the weekend’s fixtures, underlining the fine margins that define the race at the summit.

Elsewhere, Springfield Stadium saw a hotly contested Championship 1 fixture played under the lights on Friday night. Also in the division, Jersey Wanderers Reserves reigning supreme over Grouville Reserves.

Game of the Day

St Clements FC 1

Jersey Wanderers FC 2

Corbett 37′, Scott, 56′

HT Score: 1-1

JEP Player of the Match: Jack Hardisty

A clash of heavyweights unfolded at St Clement’s fortress, where the Anchors welcomed Premiership 1 leaders Jersey Wanderers in what proved to be a thrilling contest.

From the first whistle both sides showed real intent, bursting out of the blocks with an extra spring in their step. St Clement’s quickly settled into a rhythm, enjoying an early spell of possession that allowed them to dictate the tempo.

Their pressure soon told. A clever move down the right saw Seaney McColgan break free and square an inch-perfect pass across goal, leaving Karl Hinds with the simplest of finishes to give the Yellows a deserved lead.

The first half, however, was punctuated by a series of injuries for both teams, forcing early changes from the benches and adding further intrigue to an already fiercely contested battle.

Alex Durance and Archie Corbett replaced Kamen Nafkha and Arthur Illingworth for the red and white stripes to give the away sides midfield a new look. Whilst the yellows’ Joe Brophy had to be taken off for Hugo Vieira.

Corbett’s introduction proved to be a telling one as he equalised just five minutes after coming on. Following a throw in, launched into the St Clements penalty area, Corbett gathered the loose ball, with a swift touch and turn, he beat his man and slammed a left footed effort home.

Wanderers hit back before the interval, their equaliser ensuring the sides went in level at half-time.

After the restart, the contest lost some of its early rhythm, with both teams finding it harder to build momentum. Chances were at a premium, and every loose ball carried added weight as the match hung finely poised.

It was the league leaders who eventually seized the initiative. A dangerous delivery was fired across the face of goal, reaching striker Jack Hardisty, who was met with a strong defensive challenge.

But the loose ball fell kindly to winger Harry Scott, and he made no mistake, calmly guiding home Wanderers’ second to turn the game on its head.

The closing stages descended into a tense battle of attrition, with both sides resorting to a more direct approach. Wanderers looked to stand firm and protect their narrow advantage, while St Clement’s threw bodies forward in search of a late leveller.

Wanderers produced a stellar defensive display in the face of mounting pressure, repelling cross after cross as the Anchors pushed higher up the pitch.

Yet the hosts almost found their breakthrough when the ball broke kindly for former Bulls striker Karl Hinds just outside the area. His volley, struck on the stretch, skewed wide of the post to the relief of the Wanderers back line.

That near miss proved the best chance of the closing moments, as the visitors’ resilience ultimately saw them over the line.

Premiership 1 hosted a number of close-matched games. St Brelade First edged out a tight contest at home to Madeira FC with a 3-2 win.

An assured St Brelade performance took all three points for the home side. The Fish shot into a 1-0 lead early on through Kiern Lester, but the second half is where the fixture came to life. Five second half goals saw Brelade’s victorious.

Tom Harris and a second from Kieran Lester put the Fish out of sight. Madeira’s goals came from Pedro Rosario from the spot, and an 89th minute consolation from Vilmar Paulo.

St Ouen’s First gathered their first three points of the 2025/26 campaign with a 3-2 win of their own away to St Paul’s.

St Paul’s went a goal up inside 30 seconds thanks to Harry Davey. Patrick O’Toole nudged in his brother, Joey O’Toole’s set piece to add to the home sides tally. But an inspired second half performance from St Ouen’s took all three points home to the west.

Jamie Burrows, Jake Prince and Elliot Hughes all contributed to the comeback, with defensive mishaps from St Paul’s handing St Ouen’s a first three points of the season.

The final Premiership 1 fixture of the weekend saw the reigning champions undone by a ruthless St Peter’s side. Grouville briefly threatened when Jules Gabbiadini struck on the hour mark, but goals from Jack Guille and James Frudd turned sealed the points for the visitors.

The result lifts St Peter’s into second place, unfamiliar territory for the Crosskeys, who have spent much of the past year looking up the table rather than down it.

Friday night football returned with a thrilling match that ended 2-2 between St Ouen’s and St Clement’s Reserves. Two wonderfully executed free kicks from St Ouen’s’ Andre Marques were the highlight of the evening.

Despite Marques’ brilliance, Taylor Roche and Fabio Pestana were both on target for the Anchors to ensure the points were shared. A point was enough to see St Ouen’s return to the top of the table.

The other fixture in Championship 1 saw Jersey Wanderers Reserves dominate Grouville reserves to a 9-0 win, with a notable hat-trick from James Cannard. Dropped points for Grouville sees the top of the table become a much tighter affair.