Sam answers SOS
SAM COCHRANE makes a shock return to the Guernsey FC fold today, although it will be from the bench if called upon at VCD Athletic.
‘He has trained with us and always said, ‘‘if you need someone’’, said acting coach Steve Sharman, who will also have his 16-year-old godson, Tom Jackson, among the three subs at Crayford where the promotion-chasing opponents play.
Jackson, a central midfielder who lives in London, has been at a professional academy and will provide cover as the Green Lions head off without a string of players either injured, being nursed or unavailable.
Rangers and Elizabeth College defender Miles Hardill is also named and is a likely sub as Sharman gives a rare start to Ryan-Zico Black, who has been on the bench in recent times.
Sharman says although there will be one or two changes it is good that the team will very largely be the same as the one that has produced some good form in recent weeks.
Carlos Canha has recovered from the knock that saw him withdrawn just before half-time last week and will play up front with fellow Rover Will Fazakerley.
Black will play in central midfield with Charlton Gauvain and Kez Mahon operating either side and Matt Loaring in either a wing role or more central.
VCD Athletic sit ninth in the table but are on the fringes of the playoff spots with at least one game in hand on all but one of the eight sides above them. They have won four and drawn one of their seven home league games to date this season.
The two sides last met in Crayford back in February when the Green Lions drew 2-2 but in the process set an unwanted new club record of 12 games without a win.
Dave Rihoy, who is rested tomorrow to protect his Achilles, gave Guernsey FC a 1-0 half-time lead and he then doubled their advantage with his second of the game eight minutes into the second half.
However, an Alfie Cue free-kick and a hugely-deflected goal credited to Temitope Eweka, who moments later was sent off for a bad challenge on Gauvain, earned the hosts a share of the spoils.
Ten months on the VCD Athletic dangerman is much-travelled striker Charlie McDonald.
‘They are absolutely an athletic team, strong and quick,’ said Sharman, who hopes the match goes ahead despite the heavy rain of recent times and the London side’s ground being situated in a bowl.
The game is due to kick off at 2pm.
Likely starting team:
Cal Stanton, Tom de la Mare, Frank Tobin, Jamie Dodd (capt.), Thomas Dodds; Ryan-Zico Black, Kez Mahon, Charlton Gauvain, Matt Loaring; Carlos Canha, Will Fazakerley.
Subs: Sam Cochrane, Miles Hardill and Tom Jackson.
