MONDAY afternoon’s Cherry Godfrey Muratti can not come quickly enough for Jersey coach Tim Houghton.
It will be his first Muratti as part of Dave Matthews’ team and he is confident Jersey can retain the magnificent Vase at Springfield.Houghton, a UEFA B coach who helped guide St Peter to retain the flybe.
Combination Division I title and Upton Park Trophy in his only season in charge in 2001-02, said: ‘I’ve really enjoyed this season with the Island squad and I can’t wait for Monday.
The training sessions have been excellent and there is a great spirit among the players.’They are a fine group and we’ve been very lucky we have got any serious injuries with the league programme finishing so late.
Because of that and Scottish’s players going straight into the Upton Park Trophy match with St Martin’s I think we will be at a slight disadvantage.’But everyone has gelled together well as a unit and we’ve had the benefit of the South West Counties Championship.
A lot of things for a one-off game have already been covered because of the time we’ve spent together preparing for the county matches.’I've been impressed with the commitment of all the players in the squad.
There is also a lot of quality in too with everyone confident on the ball.
They all like to play in a positive manner and I’m sure that will be to our advantage.’Houghton (35), a former professional at Fulham and a semi-pro in the Conference League for Farnborough and Woking, says his biggest worry is players under-performing on Monday.He said: ‘The big danger any team faces in a one-off game is the fear factor.
I believe we have excellent ability to win the game and the players have to believe that too.’Everyone at senior level wants to be involved in big games like the Muratti and we have to make sure that the players play their natural games.
The game will be competitive and we all want to win.’Football is fun and is there to be enjoyed.
We’re asking them to do nothing different from what they do weekly throughout the season, we just want them to enjoy it and play their natural game and hopefully they will, and can, secure a win.’It’s a big weekend of football in Jersey with the men’s Muratti at Springfield on Monday, kick-off 2.30 pm.
The ladies’ Muratti is at the same venue on Sunday, kick-off 2 pm, while the Junior Upton is at Springfield tomorrow, kick-off 2 pm, between First Tower United and Guernsey Northerners.Tickets for both Murattis are on sale at Springfield, Vowden Sports in Don Street and Total Sports, Beaumont, St Peter.
Article posted on 30th April, 2004 - 12.00am
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