Hungry for success

GUERNSEY go into tomorrow's HA Trophy clash with Wednesbury looking for a repeat of last season's success but unsure of the quality of their opponents. Wednesbury are the visitors, but little is known of them, other than they are in the top half of the West Midlands Premier Division.

'We don't know too much about Wednesbury. They are predominantly an Asian side, which would usually mean that they would be a very skilful team. But it might be that they are dribblers rather than passers so we will have to see how we play them,' said coach Nick Mahy.

The huge bonus for Mahy and manager Andy Graham was that they had a fully-fit squad from which to choose.

Fears over the fitness of Colombians duo Kees Jager and Adam Kiching thankfully proved unfounded. Both came through Wednesday evening's trial match with no ill effects and take their place in the squad.

'It was a successful match,' said Mahy.

'We had 20 players out on the pitch clambering for a place in the 16 for the match. Both Kees and Adam are fully fit, which is a big plus.'

The standard of play has risen since last year, thanks in part to more league matches, and the squad is keen to reproduce or even better last season's efforts, which took them to the quarter-finals.

'We had the foundation last year with the HA Trophy run and beating Jersey in the inter-insular. That was the inspiration for all those players on the fringe to get involved more.

'There's definitely been a lift this season,' said Mahy.

'Our back four has been rock solid: it is our main asset. Really it is a back five because Kees is playing so well in goal again.'

Wednesbury are fifth in the West Midlands Premier Division with a playing record of won eight and drawn two of their 14 matches. They have scored 34 goals and conceded 21 and sit nine points behind the leaders, Wolverhampton.

Subash Mehmi is their top marksman with 12 goals so far this season, putting him fifth in the list of the league's leading scorers.

Wednesbury, who also play in green with white trim, drew 3-3 with leaders Wolverhampton in their most recent game on 31 January and beat them 2-1 on 11 October 2003

Jersey were beaten 4-1 in the third round by Telford and Shifnal, who are second in the West Midlands Premier Division table, five points ahead of Wednesbury.

The Sarnians reached the last 32 of the competition with two away victories.

They started their campaign with a 2-0 defeat of Lansdown. In the second round match, Guernsey hammered Epsom 7-1.

Wednesbury enjoyed a bye in the second round, having beaten Kings Heath 3-2 in the first at their home pitch at the Bescott Stadium.

*The match at Foote's Lane starts at 1pm. Beforehand, there will be an U-13/14 exhibition match starting at 11.30am.