Play-off on island if Raiders finish second
GUERNSEY would host the National Two promotion play-off – but they have to get there first, warned coach Jordan Reynolds yesterday after their defeat to Tring at the weekend.
The 22-17 reverse saw Raiders slip to second in London & South-East Premier, one point behind Barnes and five ahead of both Tring and Hertford with one round of fixtures remaining this coming weekend.
Guernsey welcome bottom-side Towcestrians to Footes Lane on Saturday while Barnes visit Sutton & Epsom, Tring travel to Westcombe Park and Hertford go to Guildford.
It is not out of the question that Raiders could yet finish top, but they would have to rack up a lot of points in a bonus-point victory and hope that Barnes fail to pick up a five-pointer of their own.
The more likely scenario is that Barnes emerge as champions, meaning Raiders’ hopes of promotion would be pinned on finishing second then beating Bournemouth, who will be the South West Premier runners-up, in a play-off at Footes Lane on Saturday 28 April.
‘Personally, I cannot see Barnes not getting a bonus-point [win],’ said Reynolds.
‘One thing that might help us on the day is that we do not kick off until 4pm and Barnes will probably be playing at 2.30pm so we will have a good understanding of what we have to do.
‘We have still got to get the win this week and if we perform like we did at Tring, we will struggle to win – there were just so many mistakes and missed opportunities.
‘We have to focus on this weekend. Potentially we have got three home games coming up with this one, a play-off and then the Siam, but if we are already looking at a play-off or at Jersey then we are getting ahead of ourselves.
‘We have got to get back to basics and look at this week as the most important game we have to come. I feel we have to earn a play-off and we still have to win games and pick up points.’
More in Tuesday's Guernsey Press.
