Ockleford unable to field blossoming partnership

THE suspended Billy Page is the one notable absentee from the Guernsey squad to play in Sunday's Junior Muratti. Manager Paul Ockleford has named a party of 18 that will travel to Springfield looking to win the London Channel Islanders' Society Cup for the first time in three years.

Page partnered Ross Allen up front in the last three South-West Counties Youth Championship matches as part of an unchanged line-up.

However, his ban means a slight re-think for Ockleford.

'He is a loss because he and Ross have knitted together well in recent games,' said the manager.

'It could be that any one of four players will come in for him.'

The only fitness worry within the squad currently is Ollie Dowding, who has been suffering from tonsillitis. He missed Sunday's training session but has told Ockleford that he should be ok to be involved this week.

'I do know the starting team I want, but that can change over the course of the week,' Ockleford said.

'I have told the players that they are all part of it and every player needs to know they have a chance of starting.'

Unsurprisingly, North, winner of both the Youth One and Youth Two leagues this season, provide the majority of players with eight of the squad from the club. Rangers have five players involved and St Martin's three, with one each from Vale Rec and Bels.

Allen is the only member of last year's starting XI still eligible to play for Guernsey although all three substitutes used at Foote's Lane 12 months ago - Kyle Stone, Jason Boscher and Ollie Smith - are in the squad.

It will be Allen's third Junior Muratti appearance, making him the most experienced member of the squad.

* The Junior Island team just missed out on a place in this season's SWCYC final after Dorset beat Berks and Bucks 4-1 to finish top of Group B, two points ahead of Guernsey.