Jersey boss aims to upset Guernsey's Muratti hopes

Jack Cannon has played in a record 23 Muratti Vase matches for Jersey

Jersey manager Jack Cannon said his side are determined to win the first Muratti Vase final at Victoria Park.

Guernsey's new home of football opened in March and hosts the annual grudge match between the islands on Saturday.

Cannon, who holds a record 23 Muratti caps for Jersey, is taking charge of the island side for the first time against their big rivals.

It is his second game in command after guiding the reigning champions to a 2-0 victory over Alderney in the semi-final in March.

"It's a big motivation," Cannon, who was appointed last November, told BBC Radio Jersey.

"I've spoken to a lot of people that have played there in recent weeks and they all say it's an amazing facility.

"Obviously, the motivation for us is to be the first senior men's team to go there and win the Muratti."

Lorne Bickley - who scored Jersey's winning goal last year - is one of a number of players unavailable

Cannon's preparations have been hindered by uncertainty over the end to Jersey Bulls' season.

The Combined Counties Premier Division South side are still yet to start their play-off campaign having lost out on the league title after being docked points for playing a suspended player.

Cannon is without a host of key Bulls players, with record goalscorer Lorne Bickley - who scored the winner against Guernsey 12 months ago - leading the list of those unavailable.

Also missing are fellow forward Miguel Carvalho, goalkeeper Euan van der Vliet, experienced centre-back James Queree and long-serving midfielder Luke Watson.

Despite the majority of his squad being plucked out of the Jersey Football Combination, Cannon remained confident his squad will be competitive enough.

"We are where we are, there's no excuses," he said.

"I feel like we're suitably prepared. I feel like the lads are in good form, they're in good spirits, so there's no excuses from us. We just have to go there and play the game.

"We would have liked to have had them available, but we've got the best squad available to us travelling.

"There's no point worrying about that, it can't be helped, and it would have been the same if it was a Jersey Bulls fixture, so we've just got to get on with it.

"We won't be using it as any excuse, we've got to perform."