‘Dangerous’ North stand between Rovers and double

Jose Alvarez’s chocolate-and-blues came out on top in last year’s edition as they came from behind to win 3-1, but it was this season’s Priaulx champions who won the most recent encounter between the two teams in the league.

‘Winning this trophy would be absolutely brilliant for us, and it would make this season the most successful we have ever had as a club,’ said Kevin Gillease.

‘Putting the FA Cup in the trophy cabinet would be a great way to finish the domestic season after winning the league, especially to give us more momentum going into the Upton.

‘It’s going to be very tough for us, though, we have had really difficult games against them this year and they are extremely dangerous.’

Rovers have already been involved in a domestic cup final this campaign, as they were beaten 2-1 by Vale Rec in the Stranger Cup final back in March.

‘Any cup final you want to win and we’ve been in quite a few in the last couple of years but never got over the line,’ said the manager.

‘Now we have won the league hopefully we will have that bit of confidence and finally get over that line.

‘Barry [Moroney] always says to me that if we keep knocking on the door eventually it is going to open for us, so we will be going out there and hopefully putting in a champion’s performance.’

Jose Alvarez’s North finished second in the Priaulx League just four points behind the eventual winners, but have not managed to beat the Port Soif team in 2022-23 in three attempts, losing home and away by a single goal sandwiching a 0-0 draw.

‘Getting the win tomorrow would be such a nice reward for all of the hard work we have put in this season – we have had a good year if you take into account all of the handicaps we have had, so I am really proud of the players,’ said the North boss.

‘They deserve to finish the season with some silverware, it would mean everything for us to win. We have been absolutely decimated by injuries recently and the U18s and U16s have been involved in cup finals so we still do not have the squad finalised.

‘It is a big shame because it’s such a big occasion and everybody is excited, especially the youngsters.

‘The schedule has been absolutely crazy recently and I feel bad for the players, they should be at their very best for these sorts of games, but it’s impossible when they have to play so much.

‘We could have also called the GFC guys to come in and play, but they also need a rest with the Muratti and Island Games.

‘Either way 11 players from North will turn up and try and give their best and it will be a competitive game.

‘Rovers have had an amazing season and it’s going to be extremely difficult, but when you play for this team you always have the belief that you can win and that’s the mentality for this game, too.’

The Guernsey FA Cup final kicks off at 2pm tomorrow afternoon at the Corbet Field.