Juniors targeting return to the final
GUERNSEY Under-18s have the chance to make it to a second Stranger Cup final in three years this evening as they take on Rovers on the KGV 3G in this weekend's major fixture.
Jordan Kelly’s juniors, who won the competition in 2022, finished top of their group with two wins and a draw from three games, while Rovers beat North and Sylvans to qualify as Group B runners-up.
‘We’re looking forward to the game, and with our Muratti only a couple of weeks away we’re very happy that we’re guaranteed to have this game on the 3G because nobody’s been able to play much football recently,’ said Kelly ahead of the clash.
‘Of course we do use the Stranger Cup as preparation for the Muratti, but we would love to win this game and try and win the whole competition again because it does not happen too often.
‘I have been very impressed with how the lads have performed so far – we have picked up some good results against some good sides.
‘I’ve been very pleased with how we’ve looked going forward, as we have scored so many goals in the competition already.’
Kelly also touched on team news ahead of both the Stranger Cup fixture and the upcoming U18 Muratti, which takes place in Jersey on Saturday 16 March.
‘We have a couple of injuries in the group, so tonight is a good chance to give some people minutes.
‘A couple of the injured lads are touch and go for the Muratti as it stands, as a couple of them aren’t expected back until the actual week of the game.’
Their opponents, Rovers, were beaten 2-1 in last year’s Stranger Cup final by Vale Rec, and are still looking to win the competition for the first time in their history.
Tonight’s game gets under way at 7.30pm.
• TOMORROW Rovers Reserves face the Vale Rec first team in the Offshore Commercial Guernsey FA Cup at the KGV, kick off 2pm.
There are also two scheduled FNB Priaulx League fixtures with St Martin’s travelling to Alderney to face Nomads, while Sylvans are due to host Bels at St Peter’s at 2pm, weather permitting.
