Priaulx leaders up against CI champs
VALE REC boss Mark Romeril says that reigning Channel Islands club champions St Peter will provide the ‘ultimate test’ for his in-form team when they make the trip to the Corbet Field on Sunday afternoon.
Romeril’s men currently sit top of the Priaulx table with three wins from three games and they are yet to concede a league goal this season.
St Peter have only played one game in the Jersey Combination Premier so far, which they won 6-1 against Jersey Wanderers, but will come into the Jeremie Cup quarter-final as firm favourites as they are the current Upton Cup holders.
‘They’re the best team in Jersey, and from what we’ve seen recently their league is probably a level above ours right now, so it does not get much tougher than this,’ said Romeril ahead of the game.
‘We want to be involved in these games and these occasions – the boys are all up for it and are relishing the challenge.
‘We’re all aware of what we’re up against, it is a mammoth task ahead of us, and we have seen the score lines that they are capable of.
‘The key for us is to give a really good account of ourselves and leave the game with credit.
‘It’s kind of a free hit for us, and if we managed to beat them it would be a great bonus.’
Romeril also revealed his team news for the game and confirmed that Adam Wakeford would return to the squad after being away last weekend as part of the Guernsey squad at the European Cricket Championships.
‘It’s nice to have him back available and apart from that we are pretty much in the same place – Seb Skillen and Luke Gaudion will hopefully be back soon, but there’s still no change to the more long-term injuries,’ he said.
Rec are coming into Sunday’s match off the back of a 4-0 win at Port Soif, as goals from Jacob Masterton-Pipet, Brendan Ferbrache and a Louis Travis brace led them to a convincing win over the Priaulx League champions to put them top of the table.
‘The boys were excellent last week, we trained really hard ahead of the game and came in with a specific plan, and they executed it extremely well,’ said Romeril.
‘Defensively we were excellent, we took our chances, and overall it was just a very accomplished performance so hopefully that will give the boys a lot of confidence.’
Elsewhere in the Jeremie Cup this weekend, Rovers will have the chance to bounce back from that defeat as they host St Clement tomorrow at midday.
The Jersey side were in Wheway Cup action last weekend as they came from behind to beat North, as Island forward Karl Hinds struck a hat-trick to see off the chocolate-and-blues.
Sylvans are also in Jeremie action, as Grouville make the trip to St Peter’s tomorrow.
They are yet to win in the Jersey Combination League this season, drawing 2-2 to St Ouen and losing to St Brelade.
Jon Collenette’s team come into the game looking to build on their 2-0 win over Bels at the Track last Saturday, which marked the new head coach’s first game in charge.
North and Rangers play each other in the FA Cup tomorrow at the KGV, as Jose Alvarez’s men are already through to the Jeremie semi-finals after St Brelade gave them a walkover.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Jeremie Cup
Saturday
Rovers v St Clement, Port Soif, noon; Sylvans v Grouville, St Peter’s, noon.
Sunday
Vale Rec v St Peter, Corbet Field, 12.30pm.
Offshore Commercial Guernsey FA Cup
Saturday
Rangers v Northerners, KGV, 2pm.
