Guernsey Press

Rovers plan to say farewell to Fin at Port Soif

ROVERS coach Jez Robin is confident the champions’ game against Alderney tomorrow will go ahead, as scheduled, at Port Soif.

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Rovers' game tomorrow will be Fin Whitmore's last before he goes travelling. (Picture by Martin Gray)

But KGV 3G is on standby for the 1pm kick-off, which Robin acknowledges will be far from easy given the Ridunians' solid recent form and strong defensive capabilities.

‘We trained on the grass on Tuesday night and it was fine. Sunday it was under water, but on Tuesday it was quite firm,’ said the Rovers coach, who says the club will make every effort to get it on down at the ‘Soif’.

‘Friday afternoon and Saturday morning seems clear and with the predicted wind I think it will be alright,’ added a man who has a few selection issues, with defender Ben Le Tocq away and doubts over wing-back Tyler McKane and striker Will Fazakerley.

‘“Faz” did his ankle in the last game and although he can walk around without pain it’s fairly bruised.

‘Fin Whitmore landed on Tyler’s knee in the last game and tweaked it.’

Ben Relph, the former Junior Muratti defender, will come in for Le Tocq in defence

Tomorrow’s game will also be significant as being the last for Whitmore before he heads off for some extended travelling and then plans to go to university.

‘He will be a big miss for us,’ said Robin. ‘He has come through from the minis reception to senior and island player, but we are fortunate that we have other options.’

Before that game Rangers look to move up to third in the table with a home win over Manzur under the lights at KGV tonight.

Rangers are in as good form as anyone bar Rovers and the odds are on them extending their unbeaten run against a side that is missing several regulars, including keeper Leroi Riley who is replaced by veteran Paul de Garis.

‘Matt Haynes, Marc Rihoy and Ross Yeates are all back, but Simon Baker and Marc Isabelle are missing,’ said Manzur coach Mark Romeril.

‘Rangers on KGV is never easy and they are on a decent run so will need to match them in terms of desire or we will get nothing, that said we have played on this surface already a couple of times this season so will have a game plan aimed at getting a result.’

The game kicks off at 7.30.

The third FNB priaulx league of the weekend sees Bels host Sylvans at the Track tomorrow at 2pm.