Rangers kick off their KGV era

‘It is a new chapter for us, everyone is really excited for the occasion so I am very much looking forward to it,’ said the head coach.

Tardif’s new team have lost their first three fixtures in the Priaulx League, being beaten most recently 4-0 by St Martin’s following defeats to Bels and Sylvans.

They have already played Saturday’s opponents in 2022-23, losing 5-1 at Northfield in the Jeremie Cup.

‘In terms of the opposition, it is another tough game playing against North again – we seem to have had a really tricky start in terms of fixtures given that we have played Saints, Bels and North a couple of times but we are relishing another big challenge.

‘Morale is really good despite the results because we are all working together and can see the progression in every game.

‘When we get that first result on the board it will breed that extra confidence in the group and more results will follow that.

‘We know it is a long-term process but the wheels are in motion and things are definitely improving for us.’

The boss also added that his side would be missing some players at the weekend due to injuries and other commitments, and that they are yet to finalise their squad ahead of the Priaulx clash.

A win tomorrow for Jose Alvarez’s North would keep them at the top of the table, after they saw off their Grand Fort Road rivals Vale Rec in convincing fashion during their last league outing.

Tomorrow’s round of fixtures also sees the two unbeaten sides in the division, Bels and Rovers, go head to head as they meet at the Track.

New Belgrave Wanderers coach Chris Le Friec says confidence remains high in the group following their Jeremie Cup exit to Jersey’s St Peter.

‘We had a good training session on Monday after the Jeremie game, the lads were still in high spirits and are all ready to go again.’

Bels are currently the only team in the Priaulx with a 100% record, and the head coach says that the league is where their priorities lie.

‘The last time we played them was in the Rawlinson and I do not think they saw the best of us, they should be expecting a much better performance from us this weekend.

‘We know that they are a good, organised side and we know that we have to be at our very best to be able to beat them.

‘What we have said is that a result on Saturday is the difference between a good start to the season and a great start to the season.

‘We have had Ryan-Zico Black, Tulio Viera and Jarod Carrington back in training, we have Chris Young and Sam McKenzie back as well.

‘The only long-term injury we have is Joe Welsh who is out until about November.

‘Stu Roussel should also be returning in the next few weeks, which is hugely positive.’

Kevin Gillease’s Rovers side come into this weekend’s fixture off the back of a 2-0 win at home to Alderney, and the head coach says that playing a run of regular fixtures will be crucial to helping his side build momentum.

Elsewhere this weekend, Vale Rec will be looking for a response to their 7-0 defeat against North as they play Sylvans in the league.

‘We did not do ourselves any justice really and came up against a very decent side who put in a very decent performance,’ said Rec coach Mark Romeril.

‘We were extremely disappointed with how we played, so this Saturday is about the reaction and I am sure that it will be a tough test for us.

‘If we can get a win in this game on Saturday I think that it equates to a very good start to the season, so I would be delighted if we managed to get three points.’

Sylvans currently sit sixth in the Priaulx table after their first two games, losing at home to Alderney on the opening day of the league season, before beating Rangers in their most recent outing.

In the other Priaulx match tomorrow, St Martin’s welcome Alderney to Blanche Pierre Lane as both teams search for their second win of the campaign.

Saints beat Rangers 4-0 in their last game and became the only Sarnian side to make the Jeremie Cup semi-final before that as they edged past St Brelade with a 1-0 victory.

They will face Grouville in the semi-final of that competition on Saturday 29 October. The two sides will also meet in the Wheway Cup quarter-final next weekend.

Tomorrow’s FNB Priaulx League games

(all kick off at 2pm)

Bels v Rovers, Track; Rangers v Northerners, KGV; St Martin’s v Alderney, Blanche Pierre Lane; Sylvans v Vale Rec, St Peter’s.