Guernsey Press

Footes Lane plays host to inter-insular hockey action on Saturday

AN INTER-INSULAR in front of a home crowd would normally provide enough motivation in itself, but Guernsey feel they have a point to prove tomorrow after failing to reach the EH Men's Trophy final for the first time in six years.

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AN INTER-INSULAR in front of a home crowd would normally provide enough motivation in itself, but Guernsey feel they have a point to prove tomorrow after failing to reach the EH Men's Trophy final for the first time in six years.

Player-coach Andy Whalley hopes his island side can 'come back renewed' to face the old enemy at Footes Lane following the 4-2 defeat to Blackheath & OEs in the national knockout last month and secure a fifth successive win over Jersey in the traditional showpiece.

'After the loss to Blackheath, there was a bit of reflection, a bit of soul-searching, and the conclusion we came to was that you do not become a bad team after one game but you do have to go out there and want to play from the first whistle,' Whalley said.

As for the women's clash on a busy weekend of action, goals have generally been at a premium in recent inter-insulars, but that could be about to change if form is anything to go by.

Guernsey, who have held onto the shield for the last four years after two narrow home wins and two goalless draws at Les Quennevais, go into tomorrow's annual clash on the back of having run riot in Men's Division Two last weekend.

'The girls scored seven against Yobbos on Sunday, so they are all pretty confident,' said women's coach David Wray.

'We will be as organised as we have ever been, a lot of the girls have been in the side for a few years now, which helps, and we hope we can score a few more goals than we have in previous years.'

  • Full previews of both matches in Friday's Guernsey Press.

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