SCENES of jubilation surrounded Mont Hale in Alderney two years ago when the northern Channel Islands football team, and 300 locals, celebrated a 2-1 Muratti semi-final defeat by Jersey.
The result was among Alderney’s best in the competition’ history and manager Alan Adamson is hopeful his squad can get a similar scoreline tomorrow but with his team now in a transitional period he knows that may well be a tall order.Adamson said: ‘It’s going to be a very tough game for us because many of our old guard have retired.
The youngsters have come in and although we may be inexperienced we will be fit and willing to have a go.
I can’t ask any more than that and I know the players will be up for the game as it’s the biggest on the calendar for them this season.’Alderney have at least seven changes from their 18-man squad from 2002 while Jersey too will be much changed from their most recent visit when former manager Ron Harris named 13 uncapped players in his squad.Alderney however now have the experience of an NatWest Island Games competition behind them having competed in Guernsey last summer.Adamson added: ‘A lot of the squad went in Guernsey and we had a fantastic time there.
We gained an awful lot of experience in a short period by having to play five games in six days.’We watched Jersey win the bronze medal play-off match against the Isle of Wight and we were impressed by their performance.
There are a good side and we are looking forward to hosting them tomorrow.’Full report in today’s JEP.
Article posted on 5th March, 2004 - 12.00am
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