Big-game' Nobes wins fitness race

CAPTAIN John Nobes has won his fitness battle ahead of Monday's Muratti. Nobes was named in the starting team announced this morning by Guernsey's caretaker manager Colin Fallaize despite a small doubt about his recurring back injury.

'John came through training on Wednesday night and he had a good run out. There was a bit of pain, but he had more treatment on Thursday,' said Fallaize. 'He's a big-game player, he's a Muratti player - it's as simple as that.'

Ian Potter beat Michael Wilson to the right-back slot in Guernsey's four-man defence. Simon Johns will line up at left-back and Stuart Polson will partner Nobes in the centre of defence.

'Michael is perhaps a slightly better defender, but the new stadium's pitch is very lush and there will be a lot of ground to cover down the flanks. I think Ian is a little bit stronger and fitter at the moment and he's equally capable going forward.'

Potter's superior match fitness apparently gave him the edge over Wilson, especially after marauding left-winger Yazalde Santos was named in Jersey's squad.

Muratti veteran Tony Vance beat off competition from under-21 captain Gavin Le Page for a place on the left of midfield.

Vance announced on Wednesday that this would be his last Muratti. Fallaize said that Vance's impending retirement from representative football did not sway selection in favour of the junior island coach, who has also been named as the caretaker manager's new number two.

'That wasn't a factor. He would've played regardless. In fact, it was just a case of deciding which of two or three roles to give Tony.

'Age is just a number and he's handled pushing on in years very well. He looks as sharp now as for a long while and his input has been absolutely superb.'

As expected, Chris Chamberlain, Steve Brehaut and Matt Warren will fill the other three places in midfield.

Danny Bisson and Ryan Tippett, the island's two leading goalscorers at club level, will partner each other up front.

That decision was made easier for Fallaize when Neil Clegg picked up a foot infection, although the infection is unlikely to prevent him being named as one of the seven substitutes.

The other substitutes will be goalkeeper Nathan Pattimore and outfield players Wilson, Le Page, Darren Martin, Paul Nobes and Matt Le Cras.

The starting team comprises seven from Sylvans, including the entire midfield quartet, two from Northerners and two from Vale Rec. The bench is made up of four from North, two from St Martin's and one from Sylvans.

After training at Foote's Lane for the first and only time on Wednesday night, Fallaize warned fans to expect a very different experience at this year's Muratti.

'It won't be a Muratti as you know them. It will involve the same teams and the winners will collect the same Vase, but the whole environment will be totally different down there. It's going to be something special.'

Fallaize was confident of victory, especially after revealing that last Monday's trip to Aldershot to play the Army had uncovered new reserves of squad unity and togetherness.

There is still no official line on Jersey's team, but pundits in the sister isle were yesterday predicting the following XI, in a 4-4-2 formation and from right to left: Jamie Brewster; Lee de ste Croix, David Lloyd, Tim Crowell, John Fitzmaurice; Charlie Smith, Bradley Vowden, Peter Edwards, Yazalde Santos; Gary Freeman, David Le Roux.