JERSEY’S under-18 footballers are back on the FA County Youth Cup trail tomorrow afternoon with a first round home match against Cornwall at Springfield.

The County Cup has proved a stiff challenge for Jersey’s promising juniors over recent seasons and new Island captain Jack Boyle is relishing the challenge and possibly leading the Reds into the next round of the competition.

Seventeen-year-old Boyle, an apprentice electrician, said: ‘All the squad are looking forward to the game; we have a good team with a lot of new faces in it and the players are extremely keen to prove themselves and win the game.

‘Like me they are all hungry for success and hopefully we can deliver on the day.

I played last year and physical strength is a big factor against any mainland side but I believe we have enough strength ourselves to meet the challenge.

‘I’m proud to have been chosen as captain and hopefully I can help lead Jersey into the next round of the competition.’ Boyle has chosen not to play under-18 football for the second consecutive season and he believes it has been a good decision.

‘I was close to signing for St Paul’s juniors at the start of last season but after chatting with a few of the senior players at Jersey Scottish I decided against it.

‘Playing senior football only has certainly helped my game, it was tough to start with but now I’ve got used it’s going well and I’m thoroughly enjoying it.’ U18 manager and coach Dave Walsh, who is being assisted by Keith Le Cornu and Steve Proffitt, said: ‘We know how difficult games against visiting counties can be but if we work hard I think we can produce on the day.

‘This group is talented, they are technically very good and it’s now about their hunger and desire to win.

They are strong and well organised and hopefully they can get a result.’ The match at Springfield kicks off at 4 pm, with a Jersey victory ensuring a home tie against Bedfordshire in the next round.

Jersey’s squad will be chosen from: Max Jouan, John Borg, Kyle Riddell, Sam de la Haye, Jordan McBride, Jay Reid, Alec Gee, Chris Mourant and Tim Cupit (all Jersey Wanderers); Daniel Gillett (Rozel Rovers); Seb Poole, Liam Walker, Adam Le Cornu, James Murray (St Brelade); Mark Chipperfield, Fabio Santos (First Tower); Jack Boyle (Jersey Scottish) and Declan Sowney (St Paul’s).