Alderney more confident than normal ahead of Muratti semi with Jersey

Jersey have won every meeting with fellow Channel Islanders Alderney, with each of their 43 wins over the Ridunians coming in the yearly tournament, and it’s hard to see the script being torn up this time. The hosts have not scored in the Muratti since Liam Davey’s goal in 2006 game and they lost 2-1 to Sealand last weekend in a friendly, but the camp is positive. Jersey spent the early part of the week stranded in London due to the weather as they returned from their UEFA Regions Cup campaign in San Marino, where they were narrowly edged out by Northern Ireland.

Hopeful...Lawrence against Sealand last weekend.

Alderney’s best Muratti result against Jersey was 106 years ago when they lost 2-1 after extra time and they’ve lost by one goal on just 3 other occasions, most recently in 2002. Despite this captain Andy Lawrence is more confident than normal telling us “I think it’s the best squad we’ve had for a few years”. The striker scored in last year’s 1-1 draw with Sealand at the same ground and explained that the 2 games against the N.F.-Board side have helped his team prepare mentally for the Muratti. They haven’t met Jersey since 2010 when they lost 3-0 and Lawrence stated “hopefully we can improve on our last meeting with them”. Manager Alan Adamson is expected to make just one change from the team that faced Sealand last weekend with Stirling University F.C. defender Jason Atkins likely to replace John Adamson in central defence.

Loss...Jack Boyle (red) in last years defeat to Guernsey.

Having been grounded in London on their return from San Marino this week Jersey will be keen to bounce back from their heart-breaking exit from the UEFA Regions Cup with a win. Craig Culkin will pick from the same squad that completed credible wins over Ireland and San Marino last week and assistant manager David Kennedy explained to us “we set ourselves high standards in the UEFA Regions Cup and we aim to continue these standards in Alderney”, though he stressed the respect his team will offer the hosts. Should Jersey win on Saturday it will likely be his teams’ last competitive fixture until the final, in stark contrast to Guernsey and their busy end to the Combined Counties season. Experienced striker Craig Russell is always a threat with Jack Cannon and Luke Campbell also capable of scoring when it matters. Luke Watson is expected to retain the captaincy.

Brace...Ross Crick opens the scoring in the 2010 semi.

Muratti semi-final results since Alderney last scored: 

2012 - Alderney 0-7 Guernsey

2011 - Alderney 0-5 Guernsey

2010 - Alderney 0-3 Jersey

2009 - Alderney 0-5 Guernsey

2008 - Alderney 0-7 Jersey

2007 - Alderney 0-4 Guernsey

2006 - Alderney 1-4 Jersey

The game kicks-off at 13:00 with a good crowd expected for the annual tie and we will provide updates via our Twitter service @NonFIFAfootball. A match report and exclusive photos will follow the game on the blog.