Since they started training in November, the Island Juniors have been training weekly and have had an away game at Peacehaven at the end of last year. Coach Leon Meakin admitted his side’s Stranger Cup opener will be a different challenge for them.
‘Bels will be more experienced so it will be a good test,’ he said.
The Island U18s manager added that it would be a good chance for him to see players that he has not seen yet with the Guernsey FC Development side.
‘We won’t be using Gil Hunter or Fin Patterson this week, we will be looking at players we haven’t seen yet, so we have a lot of players from Vale Rec, Rovers and North and it will be our first chance to see them play,’ he said.
Tomorrow evening Sylvans and North will battle it out for a place in the semi-finals. Both sides have three points, but Sylvans sit second in group A because of their superior goal difference.
North will have to win to go through.
‘It’s really important, we have a big week ahead of us and we need to pick up three wins from three really,’ said head coach Charlie Le Prevost, whose side will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Priaulx League and secure a spot in the Wheway Cup semi-finals in the next week.
‘Everyone is feeling quite confident, and if we can replicate our performance against Saints then that would be good.
‘We’ve had a good turnout at training, we had 27 and the vast majority are available for selection.
‘We still have a few long-term injuries but it has been good getting the squad back together.’
This weekend’s Stranger Cup fixtures (all at Victoria Park)
Today – Guernsey U18s v Bels, 7.30pm.
Tomorrow – Rovers v Vale Rec, 1pm; Sylvans v North, 5pm.
Sunday – St Martin’s v Rangers, noon.
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