St Martin’s and island midfielder Ben Coulter misses tonight’s Crimestoppers Guernsey FA Cup final through suspension, but could be playing in the FA Vase next season if his club’s entry is accepted. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0751025)

TONIGHT it is the Guernsey FA Cup final but next season it could be the FA Vase for St Martin’s.

Saints face Bels today at the Corbet Field for the biggest cup in local football, but they also have their sights on bigger fry as they have submitted an entry for next season’s national FA Vase competition.

‘This is a great opportunity for the club on the back of an exciting start to 2009 in terms of the standards the players are now setting themselves,’ said Saints boss Colin Fallaize.

‘I know from previous experience playing in the competition that in order for us to compete in the FA Vase the players will have to improve themselves dramatically, and I have laid down the challenge to them to do so.’

The competition is for teams playing at steps five to seven of the national league system.

Saints played in the competition on two occasions in the latter half of the 1970s.

In their second appearance they reached the fourth round before losing 2-1 away to Gosport Borough.

There are strict requirements for entry and all home games must be played at the club’s home ground and not at an alternative venue that meets the requirements.