Muratti 2015: Sharman takes responsibility for defeat by Jersey

It was a first Muratti win for Jersey boss Jimmy Reilly since taking over the role at the start of the season

Guernsey boss Steve Sharman has said he takes "ultimate responsibility" for their 3-2 Muratti defeat by Jersey.

The home side were firm favourites to win the vase for the fourth successive year, but could not recover from a costly first half at Footes Lane.

"As coach I take the ultimate responsibility," Sharman told BBC Radio Guernsey.

"We always knew we could be vulnerable on the counter-attack, but I had faith in our defenders to deal with it."

Sharman continued: "I'm proud of my players - they did fight back - but maybe we could've shown a bit of that fighting spirit a little bit earlier."

Jersey-born Graeme Le Saux, former Chelsea and Blackburn left-back, tweets former England team-mate Matt Le Tissier, who is from Guernsey, about the result

The two teams could meet again at the Island Games, which starts at the end of June in Jersey.

Jersey lost last year's Muratti final 4-1 at Springfield but it is Guernsey who must now take stock and bounce back.

"The last 20 minutes were a bit painful to watch but over the piece the best team won," added Jersey manager Jimmy Reilly.

"We've been training a bit more and playing a few more competitive games, I think it's installing confidence.

"It's a great boost ahead of the island games. I think Guernsey were one of the favourites so we'll be up there now too. I'm absolutely over the moon."