'Miles into legs key' says Rovers coach Robin

As usual, it is the Track-based Rawlinson Cup that gets the 2016-17 campaign underway, with the opening quarter-final seeing the Port Soif side as big favourites to beat Rangers.

Four of the next five days will see the last-eight ties played, before semi-final action next midweek and the final, which will decide the first silverware, in 11 days time.

But despite finishing as league runners-up last season – their best ever top-tier finish – Robin is not putting too much pressure on his side in the opening fortnight this time around.

'The Rawlinson is a good competition because it gives players the chance to have semi-competitive football before the league starts,' he said.

'It is a competition we would like to win, but ultimately it is very much part of our pre-season preparations and that is the way we will be treating it.

'The primary aim of it is to get miles in people's legs and with the rolling subs rule in it, get as many players in our squad decent game time as possible.

'Our squad is in an even stronger state than last season, I would say it is the strongest squad position we have ever been in, so it bodes well for the season.'

Tomorrow night sees the hosts Bels face Sylvans in an intriguing tie, with the winners facing Rovers or Rangers in next week's semi-finals.

The pick of the quarter-finals is on Friday night when cup holders North face St Martin's, before Vale Rec take on Jackson League outfit Manzur a day later.

• More in Tuesday’s Guernsey Press.