Muratti 2017: Everything you need to know
Steve Sharman and Guernsey are out to regain the Vase in Saturday’s final by winning it on home soil for only the second time since 2001, while Martin Cassidy will try to mastermind a third Jersey win in a row in his first Muratti as manager.
The Score
For the last five years Channel Island football’s biggest occasion has been defined by its biggest revolution. Three wins in three years after the advent of Guernsey FC led many to suggest the Sarnians would hold an advantage over Jersey for as long as they continued to pursue regular, competitive football as an island club, and the Caesareans did not. However, in this the sixth Muratti Vase final of the Green Lions era, a Jersey win on Saturday would see them level the tally since 2012 at 3-3. A victory for Sharman’s Guernsey, meanwhile, might reestablish the assertion that, even after a tough season, Ryman League football gives his players a continuity and familiarity Cassidy’s men cannot match.
The Teams
Young forward Robbie Legg is a late replacement for the injured Ryan-Zico Black in Guernsey’s squad. All but three of the eighteen are signed on with Guernsey FC. Star man this season Tom Dodds is among the potential debutants, while Jamie Dodd, who was sent-off last year and has subsequently quit GFC, returns to island football.
Guernsey: Josh Addison, Leroi Riley, Jacob Fallaize, Matt Loaring, River Marsh, Kyle Smith, Paris Perreira, Tom De La Mare, Jamie Dodd, Simon Geall, Sam Cochrane, Keanu Marsh, Craig Young, Dave Rihoy, Dom Heaume, Ross Allen, Tom Dodds, Robbie Legg.
Luke Watson, who has stepped away, is a big departure for Jersey since the last Muratti final, with another of their leading lights in recent years, Cav Miley, taking over the armband in just his fourth match against Guernsey. Among the new faces is 16-year-old Joe Kilshaw, who, it was reported, became his island’s youngest ever Muratti cap when he came off the bench against Alderney.
Jersey: Euan Van Der Vliet, Danny Birrell, James Scott, James Queree, Stuart Andre, Rob McBey, Jack Cannon, Calvin Weir, Chris Andrews, Michael Weir, Jack Boyle, Cavaghn Miley , Kieron Lester, Craig Russell, Karl Hinds, Adam Trotter, Joe Kilshaw, Ben Gallichan, Harry Curtis.
The Managers
Watch: Guernsey manager Steve Sharman
Watch: Jersey manager Martin Cassidy
The Form
It has been a long, hard season for most of Guernsey’s players. The Green Lions’ relegation battle has tested them in new ways. They finished the season limply with four defeats, but the hard work had already been done in a league which appears to have grown stronger since they joined it. Jersey got a big scare from Alderney last month in what was one of the most remarkable semi-finals in living memory. Martin Cassidy’s side have since failed to score in three friendlies against decent opposition in Leicester City U23s, Panjab FA, and the Essex & Suffolk Border League.
Our Coverage
We will have updates throughout the day on Twitter via our sports correspondent Tony Curr and ITV Channel Sport’s main account, and watch a full round-up of the 101st Muratti Vase final on ITV Channel TV on Monday at 6pm.
On the Day
Gates open at Footes Lane at 12.30pm ahead of a 2pm kick-off. The Guernsey FA say Garenne Stand tickets have sold-out, but general admission and concession tickets are still available.