Management team plans spying mission

ANDY GRAHAM and Nick Mahy will grab a last-minute sneak preview of their quarter-final opponents. The Guernsey coaching team will visit Staines HC tomorrow to watch Maidenhead, visitors for a Premier League South Division Two match and the Sarnians' opponents in Sunday lunchtime's clash.

'We're going to pop along and see how they play: a quick spying visit,' said Graham.

Maidenhead will be the toughest opponents so far this season.

They sit mid-table in a league currently headed by Ashford, whom Guernsey beat in the HA Trophy golden-goal thriller last season.

However, that may not be a true picture of relative abilities as Ashford have picked up three or four stronger players since last season.

'Maidenhead are in the same position that Ashford were last year when we played them,' said Graham.

'They have had some great results and then some awful ones. Their skipper has said that they are having a very inconsistent season.

'If we play to our strengths, we will win; if not, then we will struggle. It's more down to how well we play, rather than how well they do. I'm quietly confident.'

Maidenhead play on a water-based pitch and although Guernsey will be able to train there at 5.30pm tomorrow, Graham feels that the surface may make an important difference.

'There are things that you can do on sand-based that you can't get away with on water-based,' said Graham.

'Lay a stick down for a tackle and your opponents will be able to dab the ball over it because the pitch is spongier.'

Guernsey have made changes from the team that walloped Leeds. Back come Kevin Doyle and Mark Babbe, while missing this time are Phil Reid, Richard Veillard and Dave Enevoldsen. The Tigers forward is due to become a father shortly, although he is on stand-by and may fly out and back on Sunday if either TJ Ozanne (shoulder worry) or Craig Tiffany (work commitments) is forced to withdraw.

There had been fears that Kees Jager might not be able to return from a trip to see family in the Netherlands, though they have been allayed. He will play, although his flight leaves Heathrow at 4pm and the game is due to end not long before 2pm.