Sylvans thrown in clink for the cup

SYLVANS are off to prison in the first round of the second FletcherSports Guernsey FA Cup. The Joel Avery managed side, who caused a furore in the Priaulx League when they went to North with just seven men on Saturday, were pulled out of the bag to travel to face the Guernsey Prison Guards.

The draw was performed live on Channel Television's Sport Report show last night by the GFA's senior vice-president Dave Nussbaumer and sponsor Terry Ferbrache, with the GFA advisor Graham Skuse overseeing the proceedings.

No two Priaulx sides were drawn against each other and the first round matches are due to take place over the weekend of 15 October.

Avery believes the match won't be a walkover.

'It will be very interesting,' he said.

'I've actually played a few friendlies for the prison against the inmates and other games, so I know what they are like. They have some pretty big boys and they have some half-decent players like Chris Murphy, who runs the team and used to play for Brighton.

'But they don't play that many games. We're not going to take it easy and we're looking forward to it.

'It should be very enjoyable.'

With 36 entries this year, compared to last year's 32, a preliminary round containing eight teams had to be drawn.

In this round Elizabeth College are off to Port City and Rovers are hosts to Mariners Inn.

Carnaby Old Boys are at home to Bordeaux Services and the winners will face last year's champions, St Martin's.

The news was not so good for Sunday League giants The Bowl. They drew Priaulx League favourites North.

The Bowl manager Nick Mollet welcomed the news by saying: 'It looks as if we will have to choose a pitch with a few bobbles on.'

Collins Stewart, meanwhile, can forward to an away match against Sark.

One team keeping a close eye on the draw was Clubhouse Casuals, formed especially for the competition.

Comprising mainly island hockey players and a few with Priaulx experience, including captain Mark Elliott, Damien Wallen, Rob Newton and goalkeeper Matt Oliver, they were drawn away to Business League outfit, PriceWaterHouseCoopers.

'I'm pleased with that draw,' said the 25-year-old Elliott, who can normally be found at the heart of the Vale Rec defence.

'Hopefully on the day we can raise our game.'

* BRETT PITMAN has become the latest Channel Islander to hit the professional ranks. Last week, the 17-year-old Jerseyman played three times for Bournemouth.