Depth of quality gives multitude of options

IT MAY be the biggest match of the season so far, three players from the previous victory are missing and another is struggling with injury, but Guernsey manager Andy Graham remains optimistic. And with good cause. On Saturday Leeds visit Guernsey for the fourth round of the Harrod HA Trophy - down to the last 16 teams - and will face a Sarnian team brimming with talent and confidence.

It is a sign of Guernsey's strength that three current island players can be replaced by... two current island players and another with National League Three experience.

With defender Kevin Doyle marrying in South Africa, utility player Mark Babbe also at the wedding and midfielder Tristan Cairns having set off on his world travels, most coaches might have panicked.

But Guernsey men's hockey is as strong as it has ever been.

'It's not what we would have wanted, but these things happen,' said manager Andy Graham.

'We have enough players to cover those gaps. And no one will look out of place. It's a very strong squad.'

That squad was due to be finalised after yesterday evening's training match. Most places have been decided.

In come forward Andy Bell - triathlete, policeman and arguably the fittest man in the sport; Dave Enevoldsen - he of the reverse-grip skills that look so clumsy at first but which produce dazzling results; and Craig Tiffany, a veteran of league hockey in the north of England at such clubs as Wakefield, Bradford and Brooklands.

That's a bench which inspires confidence.

'Richard Veillard is likely to slot into Kevin's place. He's not played there for us before but he has so much quality,' said Graham.

'We have to decide which side of midfield it is better to play Barry Wallace.

'Tony Veillard is a worry, though: his hamstring may rule him out.

'That hole in midfield Tony would have slotted straight into.

'The last trial game is basically make or break for him.

'What we don't want is to play him but then have him miss the next round, if we get through, and the inter-insulars.'

Bell and Enevoldsen have pulled on a green shirt with distinction over the past few years. The former will run any defender into the ground and has a keen eye for goal. The latter has bemused many an opponent with his unorthodox grip.

And the third member of the trio has quickly impressed since his arrival to work at the new airport terminal.

'We're not quite sure what's Craig's best position. He said midfield or attack, but up front there's already Bell, Enevoldsen, TJ Ozanne, Rob Newton and Andy Alford,' said Graham.

Not forgetting Adam Kitching, Wallace when he breaks upfield, or Jamie Chambers on an excursion from his defensive role. The list goes on.

However, Guernsey may need that flexibility and variety in attack: Leeds are in a run of high-scoring matches.

The Northern Counties League Division Two outfit sit mid-table but have just been involved in a 5-0 win and 4-5 defeat.

'We would hope that they won't be scoring that many against us. With our back four and keeper, I can't imagine that they would,' said Graham.

Leeds will offer more of a test than Wednesbury, the disappointing Midlands team beaten in the previous round and the Sarnians are again hoping for a large crowd to fill the balcony and pitch-side.

* The match starts at 1pm at Foote's Lane.