The Jersey FA, who were set to host the Ambassadeur Bowl this year, confirmed their decision to withdraw from the competition saying that the end of long-term sponsorship and the cost and difficulties of inter-island travel played a part in the decision.
‘From my point of view it’s disappointing, but it’s a sign of the times,' said Vance.
'Travel is so difficult and with the way football is going, with no sponsor for the event, it’s going to be difficult.'
‘For this age group dominant players will probably be playing with the seniors or under-18s, but I do feel for the players who possibly miss out.’
The JFA said in an update on inter-insular fixtures that, with the funding currently available, it had decided to protect the long-running Under-18 Muratti and the Under-16 Muratti.
‘I hope it’s not [the end of the Under-21 Muratti], but I do think it’s a sign of the way life is going,’ said Vance.
‘Players are playing senior football younger now, so I think if any had to go, this is probably the right one, but that being said I am disappointed.’
The JFA have also reported that the current inter-island flight timetables would mean that the Jersey men’s squad would need to spend two nights off-island to play the Muratti Vase semi-final in Alderney in March and they are hoping departure times can be altered.
A nasty injury to Simon Geall marred the Guernsey FC Development side’s second victory in the Southern Combination U23 East Division on Monday.
Playing away at Saltdean United, Geall started in midfield but volunteered to take over in goal after Regan Penney was forced off in the first half.
In the last action of the game, he was involved in an accidental collision in the GFC penalty area as he competed for a set piece. After a long wait for an ambulance to arrive, he was taken to A&E in Brighton to be assessed. The club said yesterday that he was sitting up and talking, although scans had revealed a bleed on the brain, along with fractures to his eye socket and cheekbone. He was waiting to see specialists to determine the next course of action.
GFC thanked Saltdean United for their care of Geall, who is one of GFC’s longest-serving players.
He returned to the club to help guide the development of younger players while playing alongside them.
The game ended in a 5-2 win for the young Green Lions with Charlie Robilliard bagging a second successive hat-trick.
A frantic start saw both sides score in the first three minutes with Riley Tyrrell netting a fortuitous opener for the visitors before Zachary Burrows equalised. Captain Angus Mackay bundled in GFC’s second before Robilliard turned in his first from Marc McGrath’s low cross to make it 3-1 at half-time.
He then added the fourth early in the second half and completed his hat-trick with a few minutes remaining.
Saltdean added a late consolation.
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