In-form Bels face Jeremie holders

Le Friec’s men currently sit top of the Priaulx League table after wins over Rangers and North in their first two domestic encounters.

‘We expect a very tough game, any match against Jersey opposition is tough since they have some good sides, so it is about us preparing in a way that can help us get something out of the game,’ he said.

‘We are a team who are in form after two wins, we are resilient and we have something to prove.

‘We’ll see how it pans out but we have a gameplan, we’re going to stick to that like we did against North, and we are confident that we can fly the Guernsey flag.’

The new boss, who has been a vital figure in the club’s resurgence over the past few years, replaced Stuart Simon in the role just days before the start of the new Priaulx campaign, and says that he is ‘loving’ how demanding the responsibility is.

‘I have been the veterans’ coach over the last couple of seasons and have helped as an assistant, but this job is much more time-consuming,’ he said.

‘I was away for the North game, but I was sat on my phone getting texts and calls to make sure I did not miss a single moment of it, and it was the same for the Division One games.’

In the FNB Priaulx League this weekend, Rovers are in action at home to Alderney, with both sides looking to bounce back after defeats in each of their most recent games.

The Port Soif side were edged out by Jersey champions St Clement in the Jeremie last weekend, with the visitors striking twice in extra time to secure a 4-2 victory.

‘I thought we played really well in the St Clement game, it was a really competitive match, full of action, full of drama, it was a typical inter-island fixture really,’ said Kevin Gillease.

‘Our players could not have given any more in terms of attitude and desire, in particular Tobi Oluborode, who was outstanding.

‘Given the fact that St Clement are champions of their league, we feel that we showed we are right up on the same level as them.’

In their only Priaulx game so far this year, Rovers were held to a goalless draw by Mark Romeril’s Vale Rec, and the boss says that it is time for his side to start building some momentum.

‘I would say that so far our performances have been pretty good, but it’s been frustrating not being able to get together a run of games until now since the Rawlinson Cup,’ Gillease said.

‘We were flying after that but since then we have only played once in the league and did not get on the pitch again for nearly three weeks, which was a bit of a shame.’

Alderney took home three points at St Peter’s on the opening day of the Priaulx season, but come into tomorrow’s match off the back of a 4-1 defeat at home to Vale Rec.

‘It will be a very different game this weekend against Alderney, they always throw up a number of challenges,’ said Gillease.

‘Hopefully on the day we can be clinical and take our chances.’

In this weekend’s other local fixture, North host Jersey side Grouville in the Jeremie Cup, with Jose Alvarez’s side looking to build on their dominant 7-0 win over Vale Rec in the league on Tuesday evening.

Saturday's fixtures

Jeremie Cup – North v Grouville, noon, Northfield; Bels v St Peter, 12.30pm, Track.

FNB Priaulx League – Rovers v Alderney Nomads, 2pm, Port Soif.