Whitmore sticks around for must-win Rovers game
FIN WHITMORE returns to the Rovers squad tonight as the champions head to the Corbet Field for a potentially tricky test against a somewhat rejuvenated Vale Rec side.
Whitmore does not return to university until Monday and Rovers coach Jez Robin is not going to look a gift horse in the mouth with hopes of a third straight FNB Priaulx League title having dwindled in recent times.
While those title prospects are far from hanging by a thread, with the gap to leaders Saints standing at six points and the league programme only just half complete, dropping more points against Rec., will make their task of clinching a title hat-trick very tough.
‘Fin’s been playing regularly at uni and he has been training with us in our Christmas training sessions,’ reported Robin yesterday.
Whitmore was in devastating form in his last game for the champions, the 3-3 draw with North on 11 November, when he was back on island for the weekend.
Strong and fast, he is just what Rovers need at a time when they have struggled to overcome the handicap of losing both Carlos Canha and Will Fazakerley to GFC, although Canha could be involved too.
Alderney may have lost Andy Adamson for the season, but other than that they will have a full squad available for the game against Rangers at St Andrew’s tomorrow (1pm kick off).
Currently lying second in the table, and with a game in hand on leaders St Martin’s, the Blues have surpassed all expectations this season, which is not lost on Steve Concanen, their most experienced defender.
‘To be second at Christmas, you’ve got to be happy with that,’ he said. ‘We’ve also equalled our points tally of last season,’ he added.
But Concanen continues to play down any talk of a title and does not even consider a top-three finish and guarantee of a Wheway spot, as nailed on.
‘The top three will still be difficult – North are a good side.’
Alderney still have a clutch of home games to come, but after this weekend do not play again until Rovers travel to Mount Hale on 9 February.
The weekend’s fourth game sees North entertain bottom side Bels this evening, a game which will see them move to within five points of the Ridunians for the night, at least, if they win.
After this weekend’s round of games only four more league games are played in January when the focus switches, very largely, to the Stranger qualification.
North and Sylvans get that ball rolling on Tuesday and it is followed by three games next weekend, including an afternoon double-header.
