CHRIS MAUGER is hoping for a repeat of the first Fletcher Sports Guernsey FA Cup Final when St Martin’s face Sylvans tomorrow night. Nearly two years ago to the day, Mauger, who was just 19 years old at the time, produced a stunning second-half strike which turned out to be the difference as Saints defeated North to lift the cup.
Now 21, the midfielder looks back fondly at the goal that he lists up there with the two that he scored in Guernsey’s win over Jersey in the Ambassadeur Bowl in November.
‘It was one of my better goals,’ he said.
‘It’s probably the most important I’ve scored apart from the ones in the under-21 Muratti. It was the first final of that cup and it was a great night for Saints as we won it as well.
‘Obviously during the build-up to the game the nerves started kicking in and especially during the warm-up when you see everyone there. At 0-0 at half-time there was still a lot to do but getting the goal settled the nerves..
‘And obviously when the final whistle went, there was relief and joy about being the first winners.’
In the last two years, Saints have not matched that night in terms of success but Mauger is hopeful that they can emulate that high tomorrow at Foote’s Lane.
‘I think we’ve got a really good chance, but obviously Sylvans will think so as well,’ he said.
‘We’re both good sides. We’ve had an inconsistent year this year but in cups we’ve done really well.
‘We’ll just have to see what happens on the night. It would be nice to score again but I’m not too fussed as to who scores. As long as we win, we’ll all be happy.’
Saints coach Colin Fallaize will miss the match as he’s on holiday skiing. His assistant, Trevor Allan, will be in charge.
Both he and Sylvans coach Martyn de Garis are waiting until tomorrow before they name their starting line-up, but it is already known that Sylvans will be without island players Michael Wilson and Piers Ockleford due to injury.
Centre back Wilson is out with a knee problem that he picked up during Guernsey’s 1-1 draw with Cornwall in the South and West Counties Championship two weekends ago.
Young midfielder Ockleford has a groin injury.
However, de Garis is welcoming back island captain Matt Warren and Tom Duff who have both been out with injuries.
‘We always will [miss Wilson and Ockleford] but we’ve got players to come in and do a job,’ said de Garis.
‘I’m very pleased to have Warren back. He’s an inspirational captain.’
In the other camp, Saints are without their own inspirational captain, Kevin Graham.
The towering centre-back has been a rock all season for the black-and-whites but he will miss the vital clash after he damaged his left medial knee ligament in Guernsey’s SWCC match with the RAF in January.
He is aiming to return to action for Saints’ Collins Cup semi-final with Rovers on Sunday 15 April. The 28-year-old is disappointed to say the least that he will not be featuring.
‘I’m well and truly gutted,’ he said.
‘It’s definitely the biggest cup to win and after the Priaulx title, it’s the best a Priaulx team can do over here. So I’m certainly disappointed, especially after we won the first one and everyone said it was a good experience.
‘It’s a good occasion to get together everyone from the Saints. It’s a very social club and they’ll all be down there in force.’
Saints do not go into the game in the best of form after having experienced a shock defeat in the league at the hands of Rangers on Saturday. The second-from-bottom outfit won 4-3.
Despite that, Graham says the spirit in the camp has not been dented too much.
‘It’s pretty good despite the disappointing result,’ he said.
‘The less said about that the better.’
n Neil Clegg scored and was sent off as Bels beat Rangers 4-1 in the Priaulx last night. Marc Mc Grath (two) and Charles Pinsard also netted for Bels. Ross Allen scored for Rangers.
Article posted on 3rd April, 2007 - 12.00am
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