Tyrrell under-21 blow

INJURY has ruled Craig Tyrrell out of Sunday's under-21 Muratti. The Vale Rec. striker, who was carried off with an ankle injury in a Priaulx League match last weekend, was the notable absentee from the starting team named yesterday by island coach Phil Corbet.

'Craig is a great loss. This would've been his third under-21 Muratti and he has played exceptionally well in previous matches,' said Corbet.

'He has used the under-21 set-up as a platform to force his way into the senior island squad and he has shown the right attitude and application. He will be missed, but we've got every confidence in the lads selected.'

Northerners' Gavin Le Page, still only 19, will captain Guernsey as they bid to lift the Ambassadeur Bowl for the third successive year.

Corbet named his team in a nominal 4-4-2 formation, but said that he was undecided on what Guernsey would employ at kick-off.

'We will tinker slightly, literally in the dressing room before the match, depending on the vibes from the players. We like the idea of going 4-3-3 actually, but we'll see on the day.'

Corbet's biggest gamble was to name Michael Wilson and Danny Blondel as a new central

defensive partnership.

He said that Wilson's injury nightmare was now behind him despite the Northerner having started just one first-team match in over 15 months. And Corbet revealed that the squad member who played his way into the reckoning with his performances and attitude on the tour to the UK a fortnight ago was Blondel.

'Danny had a super tour and I will admit that he made us rethink our original plans.'

Only three of the team are in their last season of under-21 football, said Corbet, and Sunday's match will be a battle of inexperience.

Despite Jersey having just two of last year's starting team in their squad this year, the island boss said that home advantage was 'a significant factor'.

'It's their advantage because it's the case that their lads are used to the ground and used to the surroundings, but historically we have got a good under-21 record at Springfield.

'We seem to like playing there. We seem to respond well to the venue and the occasion.'

n*NORTH moved three points clear of Belgraves at the top of Youth One with a 9-0 thrashing of Sylvans at Northfield last night.

At Blanche Pierre Lane St Martin's consolidated second spot in the table with a 2-0 win over North thanks to goals from James Le Gallez and Brent Marquand.