THE Guernsey Football Association are planning to give the Muratti Vase squad the ideal preparation games they need for the final in April. ‘We want to win the Muratti and that is our number one priority,’ said chairman Dave Nussbaumer yesterday afternoon.
Guernsey’s Sure Mobile Priaulx League side were cruelly knocked out of the FA Carlsberg National System Cup by the Amateur Football Combination in a dramatic penalty shoot-out at the Track on Saturday.
While the GFA had been unable to confirm any fixtures until the outcome of that game was known, all the attention now is on securing vital pre-Muratti matches for the Guernsey side.
Possible opponents in the pipeline include current Ryman Divis-ion One South League leaders Tooting & Mitcham Utd and a Norfolk county side.
‘Tooting & Mitcham can’t come here until after the Muratti which is of no use to us so we are looking to go over to them,’ said Nussbaumer.
The match could possibly be played the week before the final.
‘We are also investigating about Norfolk coming over and we are in dialogue with them.’
A match with the Royal Navy for the annual Condor Ferries Cup is being arranged and Guernsey coach Steve Ogier is promised others.
‘We will get them some fixtures - there is no doubt about that,’ stressed Nussbaumer.
‘We will do whatever suits Steve and he is looking to get a game the week before. He is the island manager and calls the shots. We will do everything to make sure he gets the best help he needs.’
Jersey have already confirmed that they will face Premier League Reading’s reserves on Saturday 2 February followed by Northern Ireland U-18s a few days later.
Manager Dave Kennedy is delighted with the games and hopes a few more can be arranged.
‘While Guernsey may appear to be short of island matches, our programme is coming together well. We are starting to focus hard on retaining the Muratti Vase and all the build-up this year will be towards the semi-final in Alderney in March and, if we’re successful, the final at Springfield in May,’ he said.
The Irish side will face a Jersey Youth XI too.
Kennedy is also hoping to secure another game after the Muratti semi-final, possibly in France.
Article posted on 23rd January, 2008 - 12.00am
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