Tippett ruled out by GFA

THE Guernsey Football Association have refused to allow Ryan Tippett to play for Sylvans against Vale Rec in tonight's FA Cup semi-final clash at the Corbet Field. The Muratti striker has recently returned to the island after living in Australia for the last couple of years and he was not named in Sylvans' 20-man FA Cup squad at the start of the season.

'We've asked the GFA if we can put him in and they refused,' said Sylvans boss Martyn de Garis.

'I'm disappointed for Ryan and the whole of the team. He's a big asset for us but I'm sure whoever comes in will put in the same sort of effort that Ryan does. I'm just disappointed but rules are rules.'

De Garis announced that either former North forward Ewen Beacom or young Danny Le Page would come in for Tippett. That will be the only change from the team that beat Bels 4-0 in the Priaulx on Saturday, after the reigning champions had gone into the match with a depleted side.

'It was good Bels decided to go skiing during the season - it was up to them,' joked de Garis.

'But if Bels had put away their chances, it would have been a different story.'

Sylvans also defeated Bels in the quarter-final of the FA Cup.

A big plus for de Garis has been the signing of Guernsey midfielder Piers Ockleford from Rangers.

'He's been absolute quality for us,' said de Garis.

'He does the simple things right and he gives 120% all the time. He got into the island side and he played well in that game against the Navy and hopefully he'll stay there.

'He's six foot two and he's a strong lad. He's hard to get off the ball.'

In many ways Vale Rec have been Sylvans' bogey team so far this season. The yellow and greens have beaten them twice and drawn once.

'I think we owe them one to be fair because we've not beaten them yet,' said de Garis.

'They've all been close and hopefully it will make for a good game.'

De Garis's opposite number at Vale Rec Chris Hamon is fully aware of his team's stranglehold over Sylvans this campaign.

'They haven't beaten us but it's like I've been saying, it depends what side they can get out,' said Hamon.

'If they can't get their strongest side out, they are beatable, but that's the same for all of us.'

Vale Rec made tonight's tie when they got past Rocquaine United in their quarter-final last month.

Hamon has a few more injury concerns than de Garis, for the game though.

Malcolm Symons looks set to miss the rest of the season with a knee problem while Shaun Roberts and Laurence Abbott are also injured.

Young attacker Abbott dislocated his ankle during a Mauger Cup tie with Rangers 10 days ago.

'He'll be in a cast for six weeks and hopefully there's been no ligament damage,' said Hamon.

'He's banged in loads of goals: that's what you need - people who score goals for you. He's a young lad so hopefully he'll have a full recovery.'

Hamon does, however, welcome back Matt Falla from suspension and Marc Rihoy who was away for Rec's last outing. Hamon will name his team before the match.

'There won't be too many surprises,' he said.

'We're looking forward to it. We've beaten them twice and drawn with them once but it's a semi-final where winner takes all.

'It will be a hard game. The lads are certainly up for it, that's for sure.'

The match kicks off at 7.30 at the Corbet Field.