THE Army provided the perfect warm-up game for the island juniors ahead of the Junior Muratti on Sunday at Foote’s Lane. Tony Vance’s final preparation match before facing the Caerareans was well attended at Blanche Pierre Lane yesterday.

Vance was given plenty food for thought before finalising his starting 11 for next week’s big game.

A Brent Marquand goal seven minutes before half time secured a good win for the home side: a splendid delivery from a corner by Kyle Stone found the head of Marquand who put a deft header past Army keeper Darrel Hanson.

The visitors started the game well and a terrific shot from Mark Hallas from 25 yards just went the wrong side of the post with Guernsey keeper Tom Le Tissier a mere spectator.

Le Tissier, arguably the best junior keeper this season, had a good game before being replaced by Bels Rhys Gower. But it was the Army keeper who was kept the busier throughout the afternoon and the green-and-whites really should have finished the game with more goals to their credit.

Alarmingly, Jersey beat the same side last Saturday 6-1, but next week’s game will rely old the old saying ‘it’s all about what happens on the day.’

Marc McGrath and Ross Allen worked well together up front and Vance’s introduction of seven substitutes gave him and fellow coach Grant Chalmers plenty of ideas before their biggest game of the season.

‘I’ve got the team settled in my mind,’ said Vance at the final whistle. ‘I was pleased we kept a clean sheet today and perhaps we should have scored more.’

Vance also said that influential Northerner Darren Martin ‘should be fine.’

It was a bruising encounter but also a perfect run-out before a Muratti and referee Mark Le Tissier and his replacement George Jennings did a spendid job of keeping charge of a match which could have spiralled out of control.