Jersey uncertainty not affecting Guernsey says boss
Dave Merris is in sole charge of the Guernsey representative side after co-manager Ryan-Zico Black stood down
- Published
Guernsey manager Dave Merris says his side are taking "no notice" of the uncertainty over Jersey Bulls' season ahead of the Muratti Vase final.
The Jersey club side still do not know when their Combined Counties Premier South play-off matches will take place.
Bulls have been docked three points for fielding a suspended player, while rivals Redhill are currently going through the disciplinary process for a similar offence.
Until all appeals are finished Bulls players do not know when or who they will play.
Although it is unlikely the play-offs will clash with the annual inter-island fixture on Saturday, the uncertainty has not helped Jersey's preparations.
"We've not really taken any notice of what has been going off," Merris told BBC Radio Guernsey.
"We just focus on a Jersey team that is going to come over, it's going to be competitive, it's going to be hard to beat.
"We've not really paid attention to what's going to happen. we're just focused on what we need to do in preparation for Saturday."
While Jersey topped their league before their points deduction - losing just three matches all season - Guernsey's leading players have had a difficult season.
After a 12-year stay in the eighth tier of English football they were relegated from Isthmian League South Central last month and will drop to the same tier that the Bulls hope to get promoted from.
But Merris says he will take heart from the way Guernsey have performed towards the end of the season - the Green Lions lost just one of their last seven matches as they moved to their new Victoria Park ground.
"You can still use that momentum," said Merris.
"Obviously the end result wasn't what GFC wanted, but the momentum was there and the performances in the last six games has been outstanding.
"Yes, it's a one-off game, but you still use that momentum and that confidence that they've built over the last six games."