Team of the year face their next challenge

The island women's squad will be playing their first ever home match in the Investec EH Trophy when West Wilts visit Footes Lane this weekend after making the step up a level this season following their victorious EH Vase campaign that brought the recognition from the Commission.

Guernsey captain Emma Atkinson admitted that with the awards season in full swing – the Channel Islands Sports Awards being next week – hockey seems to have 'taken a back seat' of late, but the squad were delighted to pick up a gong at the GSC presentation night.

'It certainly gives the girls a talking point and a reason to be happy when training on a cold, wet and windy evening,' she said.

'When you set out at the start of the season, you do not have awards in mind, you are just trying to win the competitions you are entering, but it was amazing to be recognised by the wider sporting community in Guernsey, not just those in hockey.'

Guernsey's match-day squad contains the same 14 players who secured victory at Eastcote plus the addition of forward Bianca Symes, who missed that tie through an ankle injury.

Guernsey squad to face West Wilts at Footes Lane on Sunday, 1.30pm start

Emma Atkinson, Holly Stubbert, Lucy Slimm, Gemma Piercey, Debbie Hunter, Sophie Warren, Laura Webber, Lizzie Stonebridge, Liz Dudin, Mix De Vial, Aisha Damarell, Izzy Gingell, Georgia Smith, Bianca Symes, Sophie Torode.

• More in today's Guernsey Press.