By Andy Bradshaw

And title challengers Trinity, who have a game in hand, will be out to close the current three-point deficit on current Jersey and Channel Islands champions Jersey Scottish.

The two clubs have dominated Island football for the past three seasons, Trinity winning the championship back in 2003 with Scottish claiming the last two titles.

Scottish manager Bob Kearsey said: ‘This time last year we won the first league meeting and then Trinity had an indifferent spell in their next few league games.

‘We were able to capitalise and that put us in a good position to go on and win the title.

‘It will be a tough game; I feel we are the underdogs because our form is patchy while Trinity have been playing well.

‘It was well documented we had a poor pre-season and with a bucket-load of injuries and numerous changes we are taking time to gel this season.

‘Man-for-man we are as good as Trinity and although we’ve had good periods in games the spells have not been as dominant as previous years.

Defensively, as a team, we have also conceded some sloppy goals and that’s down to being unable to select the same back three regularly.

‘It’s not the be all and end all if either team loses because we have to face each other again.’ Trinity joint-manager Joe Morley said: ‘Scottish must be favourites – they are the champions! ‘It’s taken us six months to get it across to the players the way Adam Reid and I want them to play and they are now doing it.

‘We’ve had some quality additions this season which has made us stronger in many areas.

The rest have been working very hard and with a big squad everyone is playing a part and doing a great job.’ Trinity’s midfield this season has been boosted by the arrival of former Manchester United junior Ashley Dodd, who scored his first goal in last Saturday’s 4-1 win at Grouville, and former Junior Muratti captain Luke Watson.

Midfielder Dodd, who had four-year and 18-month contracts at Manchester United and Port Vale respectively, said: ‘I’ve not seen or played against Scottish yet and my team-mates say they are a good side.

‘Trinity have made me really welcome and I’m looking forward to the game.’ Love brought the former England under-15 and under-16 cap to Jersey, he first met his girlfriend while playing for United in the U19s Jersey Football Tournament, as a 17-year-old, when United were beaten 2-0 in the 1999 final against Benfica.

Composed Morley said: ‘Ashley is a very composed player and we are benefiting from him because we are not rushing things now.

He is an intelligent player and his standard can only be good for our Island football.

‘Luke has only played twice and currently he needs to get a bit fitter.

But talent-wise he has great ability.’