Winning records are on the line at Port Soif

Both sides come into the game with a 100% record this campaign and Mark Romeril’s men are yet to concede a league goal this season.

‘They’ll provide really stiff competition for us, but the boys have trained well and we’re prepared for the game,’ said Rec boss Romeril.

‘I’m sure Kevin [Gillease] will be thinking about how to deal with the issues they have had against us in the last few games – if it was us we’d be having those sorts of headaches, so they will be aware of it.

‘They will back themselves, though. They are at home and they are the reigning champions.

‘Last time we came here they also beat us 5-0, although we were heavily depleted.’

Rec started their season with a 3-0 win over Rangers at the Corbet Field and ran out as 4-0 winners at St Peter’s two weeks ago against Sylvans, having knocked Rocquaine Pirates out of the Jeremie Cup.

A win for either team this weekend would put them top of the league outright since North are in Wheway Cup action, but Romeril was keen to stress that nobody at the club would get carried away with a positive result at Port Soif.

‘Starting well is important, it sets the precedent for the year ahead, but it is just another game for us.

‘In this league you can win or lose any game, and it’s always fine margins.

‘We only focus on the game ahead and that’s the approach we’ll always have – we’re fully focused on Rovers right now and after this weekend we’ll be fully focused on playing St Peter.’

The Rec boss also touched on team news ahead of the clash and confirmed that Seb Skillen, Glenn Le Tissier and Luke Gaudion all continue to be sidelined.

‘There’s not too much change in terms of availability for us, we still have a number of injuries.

‘Christian Povall is back from suspension, which is huge, and Sammy Goddard is also back, but Adam Wakeford is away so misses out on this one.’

Rovers have come from behind twice to secure six points from six in the Priaulx League so far, beating Sylvans 3-2 on the opening day and winning by the same scoreline against Bels at Port Soif a fortnight ago despite initially going a goal down in the first minute.

‘It will be our toughest test of the season so far. Rec have started very well and have scored a lot of goals, so they will be confident,’ said Gillease.

‘We are very confident, too, and I think any game we go into we are the favourites.

‘I would not say that Rec are a bogey team as such, we just have not had the rub of the green against them, but I am sure it will be a close game again.’

Rovers will be without the influential Sam Hall as well as Tyler McKane and also both their regular goalkeepers tomorrow.

‘Our squad is big, though, and this is what it’s there for,’ Gillease said.

‘We’re aiming to turn what’s been a good start into a great start, and they will be too, but dropping points at this stage would not be critical.

‘Nothing is won or lost at this point because it’s early days, but we want to win and we want to make Port Soif a fortress.’

Elsewhere in the Priaulx League this campaign, Bels welcome Sylvans to the Track while Alderney make the trip over to play against Rangers at KGV.

All games kick off at 2pm.

• TWO Guernsey clubs are in Wheway Cup quarter-final action tomorrow in Jersey as St Martin’s face St Paul’s while Northerners take on St Clement.