THE impending round of Combination league action sees a host of sides take to the pitch.
After Jersey Wanderers’ thrilling 2-1 comeback over Grouville to claim the Francis Bingham Charity Cup, the pre-season is officially over and the league is underway.
All eight Premiership 1 teams are scheduled to play this Tuesday, with all fixtures kicking off at 6.15pm.
Hot off their victory at Springfield, Wanderers travel to tackle defending champions, St Clement, on their home turf.
Both teams look to be in great form ahead of their mouth-watering weekday clash.
The Anchors made a winning start by teaching the Sporting Academics a lesson, trouncing the promoted side 5-0, while Chris Gill’s Wanderers will still be in good spirits after their pre-season triumph.
Elsewhere, the newly-bolstered Grouville will be playing host to the young-blooded St Paul’s.
This will be the Groove’s maiden league game of the season, with Dave Fitton looking to refocus and reset his men after defeat in the Charity Cup final.
Off the back of an exodus of players from St Peter, Fitton has picked up many new charges who have already made their presence known on the field, including Harrison Moon and Jack Griffin.
Along with an already solid base, this has given many the belief that the Groove are well in the conversation to lift their maiden Premiership 1 title.
It is not a simple start for them, however, with the Saints of St Paul off to a winning start and taking maximum points from promoted Madeira FC.
The energy and creativity the youthful team can bring to the field is a daunting prospect for any challenger.
Since their middle-of-the-table finish in the 2023/24 season, the Saints have gained experience individually and as a collective.
Meanwhile, St Peter will face the Madeirans for the second time this campaign.
The teams met in the Charity Cup, with the Portuguese side claiming victory through a marathon penalty shoot-out.
After claiming the honours in their previous encounter, the Madeirans will again be laying siege to the Crosskeys at their home fortress.
This time they will be hoping to get the job done in regulation time, a feat that has not been recorded at St Peter’s home in recent seasons.
Both teams were felled in their first league game, and Chris Riley’s new-look St Peter squad will be looking to prove they still belong in Jersey’s top flight after their tumultuous pre-season with over two-dozen players departing, on top of their then manager, Elliot Powell.
Décio Alves’ Madeira will hope to take advantage, break down the fortress and claim their first-ever victory in Premiership 1.
Finally, in Premiership 1, Sporting Academics will play host to St Brelade.
Like the Groove, Tuesday’s game will be the Fish’s first of the season.
Having already lost to the Accies’ “Crazy Gang” in pre-season, Gary Freeman’s men will be hoping for a change in fortune to start their season off positively.
Elsewhere, tomorrow marks the beginning of both the Premiership 2 and Championship 2 seasons.
In Premiership 2, recently relegated side, St Ouen, travel as favourites to St Lawrence, who managed to walk away from the 2023/24 season with one solitary victory.
In the meantime, 2023/24 fifth-place finishers St John welcome sixth-place Dragoes de Jersey.
As for Championship 2, Grouville C host St John Reserves, Rozel Rovers reserves are away to St Paul’s Reserves, and Trinity welcome Sporting Academics Reserves.
Meanwhile, Championship 1 action takes place throughout the week, with Jersey Wanderers Reserves at home to St Ouen on Tuesday at 6.15, while at the same time on Thursday, St Peter Reserves host Grouville Reserves.
