Islanders ready for Final challenge

Guernsey Senior County League v Liverpool County Premier League
The FA Carlsberg National League System Cup
The Final
6.30pm, Saturday 1 May 2010
The Track, St.Sampsons, Guernsey

The Island of Guernsey is preparing itself for a momentous weekend. Not only is it the anniversary of the Liberation of the Island from German hands, it is also staging the annual Guernsey v Jersey rugby match and a Kathryn Jenkins concert. 

However, one event tops the lot and that is The Final of The FA Carlsberg National League System Cup when the home team take on the Liverpool County Premier League in what will be the first ever FA Final played away from the mainland.

The Liverpool contingent flew into a sunny but windy Island this morning, determined to overcome past under-achievements in this competition and land the much coveted trophy to ensure that there will be some Merseyside representation in a UEFA competition next season.

It is the home side, however, that rank as favourites to follow the Isle of Man League’s success in 2006 and take the trophy offshore. Island manager Tony Vance, who describes the match as “the biggest Guernsey football match has ever played” has been wrestling with selection problems as he trims his squad down to 16 for The Final. 

Vance said: “This is something that myself and my management team have not taken lightly. We need a squad that, if we make changes from the bench, are dynamic. 

"The substitutes are as important as the starting eleven. The squad is very competitive and this will be a tough call to make.”

“Our preparations have been going well.  The squad has been training hard over the last few weeks and Saturday can’t come soon enough now, as we are all obviously very much looking forward to the match. 

"Hopefully there will be a big crowd there on the day, there was a fantastic atmosphere in our Semi-Final victory and it would nice if that could be surpassed.  You never know they could just help make the difference.”

The reward for the winners is huge. Not only will they be crowned National League System Cup winners, but they will also qualify to represent England in the UEFA Regions Cup where they will compete in the Preliminary Round Group One together with Amateur representative sides from Croatia, Turkey and Wales. No prize in amateur football is greater.