JERSEY under-18s manager Paul Renton has confessed it is hard to know what to expect from his side when they take on Guernsey in the 2022 Junior Muratti.
There were no inter-island football fixtures of any sort played last year and the U18s’ instalment was the only contest to be staged before the pandemic hit in 2020 – in which Jersey won 3-0 away from home against the Sarnians.
Renton’s side, who meet their Channel Islands rivals at St Peter on Sunday [1.30pm], usually have plenty of competitive preparation as a team, thanks to the South East Counties Youth Championship.
However, as a result of the difficulties travelling, the young Jersey side have had no competitive games to speak of.
‘It’s been very difficult to prepare as a team,’ said Renton.
‘We have only had inter-squad competition and a friendly with the U17 squad and you cannot really replicate the scenarios that you would experience in a competitive fixture.
‘We will be organised and we will be strong, but we just have to be hopeful that the system works on the day for our players.
‘For Guernsey, their team partake in a local club competition, so they have a few games under their belt leading into the fixture, which will obviously help them, comparatively speaking.’
Despite the team not having much time competing together, the players have all been playing regularly at club level and know each other well as they progressed through the Jersey youth set-up together.
Due to the ongoing works at Springfield, the fixture will take place at St Peter FC.
The Centre of Excellence manager said: ‘We have been keeping a very good eye on how the lads are performing for their club sides as well as the few that play for the Bulls u23’s.
‘They have played for Jersey before in the younger age groups and what really stuck with me is how gritty they were as a collective.
‘If they have retained that trait, they will be a very difficult side for Guernsey to breakdown on Sunday.’
He added: ‘I think the players are quite happy to be playing up at St Peter.
‘It is grass up there as opposed to an artificial surface, which is preferable in most cases when you have a great surface like they prepare up there.
‘The facility as a whole is very nice and I think the players will be more than happy going out there to compete against our neighbours.’
Renton has sprinkled his side with some experienced players, such as captain Jack Lumsden, but has not been afraid to include players from the U16 and U17 squads – who have caught the eye during training and club matches.
Jersey: Pierce Roche, Harry Gladdish, John Lloyd, Jack Lumsden, Noah Risby, Archie Corbett, Leandro Vieira, Patrick O’Toole, Darryl Mvalo, Luke Coutanche, Sammy Henia-Kamau, Charlie Brennan, George Le Quesne, Fraser Crow, Noah Trench, Sean De La Haye, Harry Scott, Miguel Carvalho.
Guernsey: Sebastian Vance, Archie Drillot, Benjamin Acey, Benjamin Solway, Brandon Wallace, Finley Belnavis, Finley Du Port, Frederick Walker, George McNeela, Jamie Smith, Keene Domaille, Lukash Lee, Luke Elmy.
