Ricky Villa pulls a team ‘out of the hat’ last night at GFA Headquarters as he and fellow Tottenham Hotspur legend Ossie Ardiles, left, conduct the draw for the first round of the Clydesdale Bank International Guernsey FA Cup, watched by James Blower of the sponsor. (Picture by Andrew Le Poidevin, 0866664)
THE FA Cup magic of Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa has rubbed off on the island’s version of the competition.
The legendary Argentinean and Tottenham Hotspurs pair pulled out the names for the first round of the Guernsey FA Cup at the Corbet Field last night and were responsible for an absolute cracker.
A staggering three ‘derbys’ were drawn as three top flight sides will face their second teams.
Rangers meet St Andrew’s United, Sylvans take on Rocquaine Pirates, while Rovers have an ‘away tie’ at Geomarine Rovers.
Another intriguing fixture sees last year’s champions, Bels, head to the College Field to play Elizabeth College, which is a repeat of their 2006 match which College nearly won and has gone down in local football history as a classic.
‘Last time we played a few years ago it was an excellent game so I’m looking forward to another good football match,’ said Bels chairman Hilary Sarre, who believes his team will make sure that the cup stays at the Track.
‘Our boys would have to start having serious injuries – we expect to retain it.’
Fellow big boys St Martin’s take on Vale Rec’s second team, Norman Piette Valencia, and North will entertain Senior County Division Two team Centrals.
The only top-flight clash sees the newly reformed Athletics host Vale Rec.
And last but not least, Saints Social are playing North’s second team, Officemaker.
Both Ardiles and Villa are fondly remembered by not just by Tottenham Hotspur supporters but by the majority of English football fans as well, for their influence in Spurs winning the 1981 FA Cup when they beat Manchester City
4-3 in the replay, thanks a stunning solo goal from Villa.
‘It’s a great feeling as a player to score the winning goal in 1981,’ said Villa.
‘It was a great moment and the FA Cup is a very important part of my life.’
For the record, Villa shrugged his shoulders when asked who would win this year’s Guernsey FA Cup.
Ardiles instead put his hand back into the cup to pull out a name.
He drew North.
The ties are to be played from 26 to 30 November.
The draw (home sides first): Norman Piette Valencia v. St Martin’s; St Andrew’s United v. Rangers; Elizabeth College v. Bels; Sylvans v. Rocquaine Pirates; North v. Centrals; Saints Social v. Officemaker; Athletics v. Vale Rec; Geomarine Rovers v. Rovers.
Article posted on 4th November, 2009 - 2.29pm
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