Reid is back for Jersey
JERSEY boss Martin Cassidy has welcomed Jay Reid back into the fold for the 2018 Muratti final, following the midfielder’s long-awaited return to the island earlier this year.
The former U21 Muratti captain, who has not played in a red shirt since his departure in 2013, receives an immediate recall for next Saturday’s showpiece at Springfield – as part of a 16-strong squad made up solely of players from three Combination clubs.
St Peter teenager Jake Prince and St Paul’s striker Karl Hinds – joint-leaders on the JEP Golden Boot chart with 25 goals apiece – are also included for the 102nd final, with former Airdrie United professional Jack Boyle set to captain the home team.
Jersey’s final friendly before the Muratti, against Essex & Suffolk Border League, offered a whole team of fringe players the chance to impress last Saturday, but only Wanderers trio Danny Birrell, James Quérée and Kamen Nafkha have been retained.
The 14 others named for the annual Sarnian tussle were in action for either St Peter or St Paul’s on Sunday afternoon.
Five of the squad – Birrell, Prince, Nafkha, Adam Trotter and Harry Curtis – are yet to appear in a senior Muratti clash, although Curtis, Trotter and Birrell have been unused substitutes in recent seasons.
Jack Cannon – a debutant in 2006 – is in line for his 19th Muratti cap, including semi-finals.
Jersey squad: Euan van der Vliet, Danny Birrell, Jack Cannon, James Quérée, Luke Campbell, Harry Curtis, Michael Weir, Calvin Weir, Jay Reid, Jack Boyle, Kamen Nafkha, Adam Trotter, Jake Baker, Jake Prince, Karl Hinds, Craig Russell.
