Rihoy and Martin make GFC returns
GUERNSEY FC were forced into a late change to their 16-man squad they took up to the Isle of Man yesterday for their friendly with new side FC Isle of Man.
Rovers’ Blair Howitt comes in for an injured Kyle Smith, the Sylvans man having been in domestic action for the Westerners in their Thursday night Rawlinson semi.
A large crowd is expected to descend on the Bowl in Douglas for this evening’s 6.30pm kick-off, for which the hosts – nicknamed The Ravens – have organised a live stream available back in Guernsey.
The ongoing Covid-19 restrictions mean Guernsey FC, who will give a first sight of their new all-green home kit, are unable to use UK-based duo Harry Tobin and Callum Stanton, which means Josh Addison will forego a Rawlinson Cup final game to deputise between the sticks.
After just one second-half substitute’s appearance for Manzur, Dave Rihoy returns for GFC after missing the whole of last season with a knee injury. There are also places for Rihoy’s Manzur colleague Tom Martin and Vale Rec’s Glenn Le Tissier.
The squad flew up yesterday afternoon and the full travelling squad reads: Josh Addison, Frank Tobin, Jacob Fallaize, Tom Strawbridge, Jamie Dodd, Louis Graham, Simon Geall, Thomas Dodds, Liam Mahon, Dave Rihoy, Tom Martin, Charlton Gauvain, Glenn Le Tissier, Steve Renouf, Ross Allen and Blair Howitt.
After GFC and Jersey Bulls, The Ravens become the third crown dependency island to enter a team in the English non-league system.
FC IoM have been accepted into the North West Counties League and will compete in Division One South in their inaugural season (step six of non-league), travel restriction permitting.
The two sides are far from strangers, having faced each other on numerous occasions in Island Games tournaments – the most recent being a 3-2 victory for the Sarnians in the semi-final of the 2019 Inter-Island Games Football tournament in Anglesey.
GFC boss Tony Vance said it was ‘an absolute honour’ to be asked to be involved in The Ravens’ maiden game. ‘It shows us perhaps what we mean to some people.’
