Springfield is the venue for the first showpiece final of the season and Wanderers will start favourites to win the Jersey Football Association’s early season knock-out competition having captured some experienced signings over the summer.Philpott, who has been successful as a youth team manager, has very much a youthful squad for tonight but he is not overawed by the challenge in Wanderers.He said: ‘I’m looking forward to the game, it will be a physical challenge and Wanderers will have a lot more experience than us.
They will also be in the know but I’m hopeful that our youth and pace will upset them.’We put some good crosses into the penalty area in Saturday’s defeat by Magpies but we lacked players to get on the end of them.
Tonight I want to see more effort and determination from my players – especially in front of goal.’Philpott was disappointed with his team’s showing at the weekend and he will keep his players guessing as to who will play as he has named a squad of 20.Stratford will look to take his unbeaten run to ten games tonight.
Since taking over late last season he kept Wanderers in the top flight last season after two wins and two draws in the last four matches.
This season his team has won all five games.’There’s no secret to our success,’ Stratford said, ‘it’s all down to the hard work of the players.
I know we are favourites tonight but that counts for nothing.
It’s a cup final and a one-off game.’I’m confident we can do well but we have to be disciplined.
I have a very good squad and there is a lot of competition for places.
Tower are a young team and they will be hungry for success.’They’ve already proved how good they can be by putting Jersey Scottish out of the competition.
We know it will be tough game and we’re all looking forward to the challenge.’Kick-off is at 7.30 pm.Jersey Wanderers: Simon Allenby, Jimmy Styles, Mark Woodford, Craig Grant, Chris Corfield, Andrew Johnstone, Leigh A’Court, Kevan Crowell, Justin Jouan, Bradley Vowden, Chris Andrews, Chris Hamon, Paul Banahan, Matthew Purdie, Jon Southern and Duncan Prince.First Tower: Casey Hickling, Jack Jouanny, Tom Poole, James Prendergast, Blake Applegate, Darren Munden, Nathan Jégou, Scott Jones, Neil Langdon, Chris Carter, John Rutter, Mark Lucas, Chris Conning, Scott Walsh, George Orenge, Martin Higgins, Martin King, Michael Agrela, Dominic Glennon and Paul Carberry.
