The last time the Greens played in a Muratti at Springfield two years ago they ended a 16-year wait for victory and followed that up with a 2-1 triumph in the first Muratti to take place at Victoria Park last season.
Anna Gauvain’s side have their eyes set on the trophy once again.
‘I think the excitement’s starting to begin now, we’ve got our last session tonight so we are going through the final messages to the girls before the Muratti,’ Gauvain said yesterday.
‘We’re definitely out to win it and we’ll give everything we can to get a result in Jersey, but it’s going to be a competitive match and both islands have obviously played a little bit more now in their leagues so I’d expect Jersey to be well up for it, and not wanting us to take the trophy back home, so it’s going to be a good one.
‘It’s going to be good for the island and for women’s football.’
After a first season in a UK league for both Guernsey FC and Jersey Bulls, the coaches have had more time to see the players in competitive fixtures and the squads have had more big match experience.
‘It’s been massive in terms of match-day preparation, the girls are a lot more used to going out there,’ said Gauvain.
‘Over the season we’ve been able to try different things and see what works best for us, giving the girls more experience and not just one game a season. Luckily for us, our squad has been quite consistent and the girls who are going out there on Saturday have been playing in the league and training together week-in week-out.’
The 16-player squad features five potential Muratti debutants including young forward Ruby Smith who ended the season in fine goalscoring form, Heidi Dawber, Mollie Watson, Kellie Creed and Alana Hockey.
‘Heidi has been injured for the last two Murattis and then got herself fit again to play this season for GFC. She has been a really good spark for us and I am looking forward to seeing what she can do for us,’ said Gauvain.
‘We just really have to remember how young Ruby is and you know she has big shoes to fill, but she’s her own player and she’s actually shown us a slightly different way of playing. I think the girls have adapted well and she’s come in and had some strong games for us so it’s exciting what she can bring too.’
There are also a few key players from previous Muratti victories missing including last season’s player-of-the-match Calleigh Hedley, who has recently become a mother, Vicki Rang ,who played a big part in the fixture when Guernsey won it for the first time in 16 years in 2024, and Chloe Ingrouille, who is now with Plymouth Argyle.
The match kicks off at 1.30pm tomorrow and will be live-streamed on the Jersey FA YouTube channel.
SQUADS
Guernsey: Alana Hockey, Emma Queripel, Jess Frampton, Scarlett Kenneally, Aimee Ogier, Mollie Watson, Candice Bougourd, Kellie Creed, Amy Dallamore, Heidi Dawber, Donna Gallienne, Roch Mullen, Codie Le Flem, Elise Le Lacheur, Adrienne Leech, Ruby Smith.
Jersey: Poppy Benest, Dannielle Bradshaw, Shana Dolbel, Roisin Flynn, Amy Guthrie, Nathasha Keen, Rachael McCartan, Leah Morris, Chantelle Renouard, Sofia Rodrigues, Aine Ruth, Samantha Silva-Pinto, Holly Sundby, Tiffany Sundby, Anita Tavares, Tayah Vasse.
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