Benfield is back as pressure rises

But, to do so, they will have to do what 180 minutes of previous football at Mount Hale has failed to do and that is score against Manzur.

The ‘Manzurians’ have won and drawn in Alderney these past two seasons, sharing a goalless draw with the blues earlier this campaign.

Mark Romeril’s side like it so much up there, they took up an open invitation for a Guernsey side to play a second game in the northern isle, and in making a weekend of it the ‘Manzurians’, who take 20 players up north, are to play an additional friendly.

But while Alderney welcome back skipper Ross Benfield from suspension and should be at full strength, Manzur head north without any of their GFC men, Craig Young having to drop out after picking up an ankle injury in the 2-2 draw against Sylvans last weekend.

But where there is Marlon Jardim there is hope, says Romeril.

Jardim scored both of his side’s goals against the westerners six days ago and the Portuguese fox-in-the-box is senior soccer’s leading scorer with 23, 16 in the league.

Romeril is not worried about the projected strong winds, pointing out that the previous meeting was played in ‘about a force 9’.

‘This is our third trip up there and it has never been less than horrendous.’

Alderney player-spokesman Steve Concanen expects another tight game and hopes to see striker Ciaran Stretton maintain his recent run of scoring form.

‘He seems to understand now about getting in the box and he got a couple of good finishes in the box against Rec [last week],’ he said.

‘And if we score two goals we fancy ourselves against anyone,’ he added of a side that has averaged exactly two per game, while Saints average nigh on three per match and Rovers a little more than 2.5.

Concanen said a decision has not yet been made as to whether to play Benfield in defence or as a spearhead, but the decision might be swayed by the encouraging performance of young Jacob Ollivier in the 2-1 win over Vale Rec.

‘I thought young Jacob did very well at left centre-back and he’s quite good in the air.’

Meanwhile, champions Rovers take on Sylvans for the second time in a fortnight at Port Soif.

Sylvans held Jez Robin’s side to 2-1 in the Rossborough FA Cup, a game which striker Joe Collenette missed.

He returned to score against Manzur last weekend. Rovers welcome back Harry Gallienne and Oscar Leadbeater after missing last week.

Tonight, Vale Rec are due to entertain North at the Corbet Field.