ST CLEMENT will look to make history on Saturday by claiming their first ever JFA Combination Premiership title.
The easterners have led the way all season and require just a point from their final game to finish the fight.
Standing in the way is an away tie with St Peter [2pm kick-off] who sit just a point behind after 15 games played.
St Clement, who held a seven-point advantage at the summit in February, had the chance to clinch the title last weekend at home to Grouville, in front of 250 fans – all desperate to see their side grab a historic first crown.
However, the game did not go to plan, as Grouville – led by the league’s top scorer, Harrison Moon, beat the hosts 3-0 to take the Premiership to a last-game decider.
The lifeline has given the Crosskeys an unexpected opportunity to snatch the title from their rivals.
Elliot Powell’s side have enjoyed a stellar second half of the season, where his side are unbeaten in nine league games – ironically dating back to a 3-0 defeat to St Clement last October, in the reverse fixture.
They also find themselves in the semi-finals of two cups, the latest of which was in the Jeremie Cup following a 3-0 success in Guernsey against Vale Rec, in challenging circumstances.
Former Jersey Bulls player Calvin Weir, who stepped away from the set-up to pledge his allegiance to the Combination side, was taken to hospital with a nasty head injury following a clash during the contest.
Weir, who opened the scoring on the day, has been cleared of a concussion, but will not be risked during the title decider.
Powell said: ‘The gashes in his head are still quite sizeable, with swelling a tenderness still present.
‘To not have him around is a big blow. We have really benefitted from having him back at the club and he’s a fantastic player.
‘Not just that, he is a big presence in the changing room and it will be a miss not having him there.
‘We are looking pretty strong ahead of the game. Obviously we have some semi-finals to keep an eye on and manage the team accordingly, but with a game of this magnitude, it is all we are focused on right now.
‘I think we are in a great position.
‘St Clement will certainly feel the pressure having led the league from the outset, so for us I think we just have to play our game and ensure we are disciplined.’
For Gary Tumelty’s side, they still remain in the driving seat.
‘It’s been a great journey for the club over the past few seasons,’ said the coach.
‘To be in this position with one game to play, if we were offered that at the outset of the season, we would have snapped your hand off.
‘It was disappointing not to get the job done last weekend, but we knew we had two bites at the cherry.
‘We will look to play our game this weekend. I think most people will agree that we are one of the best footballing sides to watch.
‘The lads like to get the ball down and play it around, so I don’t think we need to do any-thing different, just play the game that has got us to where we are this season.
‘We still have a very young side and I think we are ahead of where we were expecting to be with their progression.
‘The core group we have certainly bodes well going forward and we have a real sense of community at the club now.
‘That is what Combination football is all about and kids are enjoying coming down and playing their football here.’
