THE first trophy of the 2007-08 season will be won tonight as local football’s traditional curtain-raiser, the Martinez Cup, is fought out at Northfield. The Sarnian version of the Community Shield sees Priaulx League champions North take on Guernsey FA Cup winners Sylvans, kick-off 7.30.
The chocolate-and-blues go into the match on a high having crushed Jersey Wanderers 8-2 in a friendly on Saturday with new signing striker Jamie Ferbrache banging in a hat-trick.
Kyle Stone and Sam Stables each weighed in with two goals, while Craig Young got one.
‘We played really well,’ said North coach Mick Le Prevost. ‘OK, they weren’t the best, but you still have to go out there and do it.
‘Jamie Ferbrache was good. He worked hard up front and he was quick. He definitely knows where the goal is.
‘I was pleased for him and I was pleased for Craig Young as well. He’s just come back.
‘But the best player on the park by a mile was Kyle Stone. He was absolutely superb.’
The trio are expected to feature in tonight’s big game.
However, Le Prevost will be without his son, Alex, and Glyn Dyer from the midfield as both are on holiday in Magaluf.
Also absent are strikers AJ Saunders and player of the year Simon Tostevin, who both have long-term knee injuries, as well as Jon Loaring. The latest reports are that Saunders will now be returning to action at the end of November.
Veteran defender Stuart Polson has yet to make his decision whether he will continue playing, although he was training with the squad on Monday, but he is not turning out tonight.
Matt Dorrian is also out with a foot injury and Simon Johns is going to make himself available in next month and misses the game.
Le Prevost will give the team talk and the warm-up before this evening’s clash because he has to dash off to a family golden wedding anniversary.
‘I’m treating this as another game,’ he said.
‘It is for a cup but it’s another game for us. It’s another 90 minutes for the boys and, hopefully, by the start of the season they will be fully charged.
‘Everything is going well and the training is going well.
‘We just can’t wait for the start of the league on 1 September when we play Rangers and take it from there.’
Meanwhile in the opposite camp, Sylvans go into the match without holidaying Tom Strawbridge, injured Michael Wilson and Tom Duff.
Also missing are Blane Queripel and Kris Moherndl, who are both playing cricket for the island in this week’s ICC European U23 Division Two Championship.
Coach Martyn de Garis announced that former island striker Tony Vance would be in the squad and that his side were up for the game.
‘It’s a trophy and we’re going to try our best to win it,’ he said.
‘We want to get the season under way with a win. I’m really looking forward to it and the boys are looking forward to it.’
Article posted on 15th August, 2007 - 12.00am
Loading ...
Most Commented: