Fallaize comes in at key time for Rovers

The former Sylvans centre-half, who has made over 100 appearances for Guernsey FC, has not played this season due to injury but comes straight into the fold for Kevin Gillease’s team after signing as they look to close the gap on Priaulx League leaders Vale Rec.

Rovers’ most recent outing took place last Friday against Bels, but a floodlight failure early in the second half at the Track meant the match was abandoned despite the visitors being 3-1 to the good.

They currently sit seven points off the summit of the league table, with the chance to close the gap to four with Vale Rec’s scheduled game against St Martin’s tonight being postponed due to floodlight issues.

Their opponents for the weekend are mid-table in the division and come into the fixture looking to bounce back from a 3-2 loss at home to Sylvans in midweek, which followed a goalless draw in Alderney.

‘Our games against North are always really competitive and tight and I’m sure it will be no different this time,’ said Rovers boss Gillease.

‘We’re looking forward to it after the disappointment of last week, but we’re probably playing North at a bad time because they’ll be trying to respond after a defeat. Nobody wants to lose a couple games in a row in this league so they’ll be doubly determined to beat us.

‘Picking up three points would be really important for us because we have some tough games before Christmas and we want to build a bit of momentum.

‘We play Rec next and then Alderney and we want to take maximum points from all the games.

‘We want to win every game we play, but this little period feels especially important. If we win them all we think we’re in a really good position.’

Gillease also confirmed his side would be without a number of players.

‘There’s a couple of lads away this weekend and we have quite a few on the sidelines,’ he said.

Aidan McKay and Robbie Legg both came off injured against Bels.

'That feels even more frustrating because they got injured for nothing really, with it being abandoned.’

Elsewhere this weekend, Sylvans will be looking to build on their victory over North as they play against Bels.

Jon Collenette’s team surprised many with a hard-fought but well-deserved victory at Northfield on Tuesday night, with Simon Arnold scoring all the goals in their 3-2 win.

‘We thoroughly deserved to get the win and I feel like it had been coming for a little while,’ said Collenette.

‘We should have got something against Vale Rec and I’m sure Rommers [Mark Romeril] would agree with that, but against North we were even better because we had more intent and dynamism going forward.

‘Simon Arnold was outstanding and Corey Brouard was a stand-out, too.

‘I also thought the defence was very good – George Montgomery was solid as ever and our full-backs Oscar Leadbeater and Crofty [James Ravenscroft] were excellent. The energy and intensity has improved so much throughout the team, and everyone is buzzing after getting that win.'

The Westerners pushed Vale Rec hard last weekend but lost out to a late goal from the penalty spot. Collenette said that result was 'a real downer' – 'but to respond like that was so pleasing – we are so chuffed.’

‘Bels will be a very different type of game this weekend and it’s one we have to win.

‘If we do not beat them it means that our North victory was almost for nothing.’

Tomorrow’s FNB Priaulx League fixtures (all 2pm)

Rangers v Alderney, KGV; Rovers v Northerners, Port Soif; Sylvans v Belgrave Wanderers, St Peter’s.