Jersey’s men made a winning start in their defence of their Island Games football gold medal with a 2-0 win over Gozo.

Having seen captain Karl Hinds twice go close after 20 minutes Jersey took the lead five minutes later when Robert Martins-Figueira volleyed in Euan Brodie’s long-range free-kick into the box.

Harrison Moon doubled the lead when he dispossessed the goalkeeper in the 35th minute and chipped home at a windswept pitch in Holm.

Connor Maher and Hinds had more chances early in the second half as Jersey’s unbeaten record extended to 10 years – they last lost a match at the Island Games in 2015 when the Isle of Man beat them in Jersey in the group stages.

The victory puts Jersey in pole position to qualify for the semi-finals from their three-team group after Gozo and Shetland played out a 0-0 draw on Sunday.

It means the 2023 champions need just a point from their meeting with Shetland on Tuesday to top Group B and secure a place in the last four.