Guernsey’s footballers helped Tom Strawbridge celebrate his 20th birthday yesterday. Today their attention will turn to the serious business of beating Jersey. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0799193)
IT IS a massive game, but it is not a Muratti, was Tony Vance’s message ahead of this afternoon’s Island Games semi-final with Jersey at Sportkila in Aland.
‘It’s not a Muratti, it’s a completely different game,’ Vance said.
‘The prize is different. This is a semi-final against opposition who we will view along the same lines as we have done with all others throughout this competition.
‘We have been looking at them as we have done every team we might come up against.
‘We always knew that potentially we could meet them in the semi-finals, but this has nothing to do with the Muratti.’
The Guernsey squad spent yesterday chilling out before heading to the swimming pool, athletics stadium and their female counterparts’ game to support fellow Sarnians.
‘Everyone is fine. There are a few tired legs but everyone has been relaxing and enjoying the day off,’ Vance said.
‘We are looking forward to tomorrow and as soon as we wake up we will focus on the game.’
Meanwhile, Vance’s opposite number is feeling confident, which he should be given the Caesareans’ dominance of inter-island games over the past decade.
‘I’ve a game plan I will be using to beat Guernsey and I’m sure Guernsey manager Tony Vance will have plans on the way they will play against us too,’ said Craig Culkin.
‘One great thing about our players is that there has not been a great celebration when they have won games. They said before they came here that it’s a five-game plan and part four is to win the semi-final.
‘Now that we know it’s Guernsey I feel whoever wins this game has the potential to go on and win the final.’
Jersey will be without the suspended Dave Watson for a match which kicks off at 2pm Guernsey time.
Article posted on 2nd July, 2009 - 2.30pm
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