Jack Boyle 2018 Muratti

Muratti 2019: Jersey set for showdown with rivals Guernsey

Tim Pryor
Jersey head to Guernsey this weekend looking to retain the Muratti Vase

Jersey manager Martin Cassidy has called on his squad to show high intensity for the whole 90 minutes, as they prepare for Saturday's Muratti Vase final against Guernsey.

A large travelling support is expected to make the journey across for the game at Footes Lane (kick-off 2pm). 

The island side head into the fixture on the back of a penalty shoot-out loss to the British Army last week in the final of the Southern Counties Cup Competition. Defender Luke Campbell got Jersey's goal in a match that finished 1-1 after normal time. 

"The players are buzzing," said Cassidy, speaking after Wednesday night's training session at Springfield. "The message is clear to the players, let's just keep playing the way we've been playing but take 50% of our chances and we'll win the game.

"It's not like I've only got 11 players and I need them to last 90 minutes. I've got 16 players going on this trip, we've got four outfield subs, and it's about planning to win in normal time. If it's the starting 11 that do that, or the next guy who comes on, or if I play all three subs, they've just got to be ready.

"The game plan must be to play at the full, high intensity for 90 minutes. I don't expect the first 11 to do that, but certainly with the changes we make I dont want it to change too much of the style that we play."

Jersey won last year's final 1-0 thanks to Jack Cannon's penalty after quarter of an hour, and will be looking for a fourth Muratti title in five years after successes in 2015 and 2016.

"It's been a long time coming, a year waiting, but we've all got together and the lads are looking forward to Saturday," attacking midfielder Jack Boyle told JerseyFA.com

"As with every Muratti there's a bit of nerves, but also excitement and confidence around the squad.

"From a personal point of view the Muratti is number one. It's once a year, you wait so long for it, and it's the biggest celebration when you win and the biggest downer when you lose."

Goalkeeper Euan van der Vliet added: "Spirits are high, we know it's a massive game going up against Guernsey and you only get the one chance a year to play them.

"This is the game you look forward to every year, at the end of the season this is what you work for, this is the main game and we want those bragging rights for the year."

The 24-man training squad for Jersey's fixtures throughout May and June is as follows:

Euan van der Vliet, Harry Curtis, Jay Giles, Jonny Le Quesne, Adam Trotter, Jack Boyle, Michael Weir, Zeljko Martinovic, Craig Russell, Kieran Lester, Stuart Andre, Fraser Barlow, Jack Cannon (all St Paul’s), Danny Birrell, James Queree, Kamen Nafkha (all JTC Jersey Wanderers), Luke Campbell, Ruben Mendes, Harry Cardwell, Calvin Weir, Sol Solomon, Karl Hinds (all St Peter), George Glithero (Rozel Rovers) and Connor O’Shea (St Clement).