United set for biggest test yet

ROCQUAINE UNITED face their first real test in the quarter-finals of the FletcherSports FA Cup having drawn Vale Rec for a place in the last four. The old boys of the mighty Sylvans team of the 90s have so far had few problems.

They took care of Business League outfit Bordeaux Services 8-0 in the first round and on Saturday beat Centrals, who are effectively the Rangers Railway side, 8-1.

But coming up against a Priaulx side will push a Rocquaine team that does not contain one player under 30 years of age.

'It's going to be difficult,' said Rocquaine midfielder Jan Renouf.

'I think we're going to struggle but at least it makes things interesting and gives us something to aim for. The thing is we don't play week in, week out and our all-round fitness and sharpness are where we're going to struggle.

'We'll have our work cut out to beat them but we'll give them a go. That's the beauty of the FA Cup.'

The other draws see Specsavers at St Martin's, Academy Cleaners or Tiger City will entertain Rovers and Sylvans or Clubhouse Casuals will host either Rothschilds or Priaulx champions Bels.

All the matches are due to take place over the first weekend in January.

Rocquaine have home advantage in their game but if Sylvans get past Clubhouse Casuals, it will be unlikely that they will be able to play the fixture at St Peter's.

Wherever it's played, Renouf's teammate and former island striker Tony Vance agrees it's going to be a tough match.

'We knew at some point we'd have to draw one of the big teams,' he said.

'It's a wake up call and we'll look forward to it. They start as favourites and we would have obviously preferred an easier draw.

'They are a top team and they are well organised, sharp and fit. It's a tough draw and we've got some work to do.'

A feature of Rec's play this year is that they give their coach Chris Hamon a full 90 minutes of hard work.

This has led them to a current position of second in the table.

'If you put the effort in you'll get the rewards,' said Hamon.

'It doesn't really matter who you get, it's now getting to the nitty-gritty of it.

'We would have preferred a home draw but it will be a good game.'

Quarter-final draw

St Martin's v. Specsavers.

Rocquaine United v. Vale Rec.

Academy Cleaners or Tiger City v. Rovers.

Sylvans or Clubhouse Casuals v. Belgraves or Rothschilds.

* Matches to be played over the weekend

6 and 7 January.