Norstar boss Phil Peters is looking forward to unleashing new signing Rob Blackman on second division SPEC FC on Sunday as the team's go head-to-head in the Peter Morrison Trophy.
Blackman could be unleashed from the start as Adam Kaldor misses out through injury for Norstar, whilst manager Phil Peters is hoping that Dec Spiro and Jason Lindsay recover from their respective ailments to add to selection problems.
Anthony Goodmaker is likely to start on the bench and be brought on whenever Norstar have a throw in their opponents half, whilst Simon Perlmutter will take to the field for attacking set-pieces in order to demonstrate the relative merits and demerits of the rolling subs rule.
Peters is not underestimating his opponents though and knows that his boys will have to be at their best to progress. Last Sunday’s win over Brixton has got the fans excited but more of the same will be needed to beat one of the top teams outside of the Premier Division:
Peters told JC Sport: “Laurence has got his team playing some beautiful football and any team with the likes of Burns, Wallis and Hecht in it is going to be very strong. Even Ricky Lawrence is a decent player.
“We’ll have to be at our best if we want to progress and we’re keen for a good cup run this year so we’ll be going out with a very strong team determined to get the result we need. With Spurs kicking off at 1.30pm no one wants extra-time!
“Laurence and I will share a thermos of mulled wine during the game on Sunday and the winning team will not only progress to the next round of the Morrison but also get first pick of the Chanukah doughnuts.”
SPEC FC have absolutely nothing to lose for their meeting against the Premier Division and a big crowd is expected.
Ricky Lawrence will be keen to prove a point to Peters as one of the few JC MSFL players around yet to be involved with the Orange revolution who represented Team GB in France last year.
He told JC Sport: “"We're really looking forward to Sunday. It's our first competitive game against a team from the top division and with many of us knowing Norstar players, and vice-versa, it should be a really enjoyable game for everyone involved.
“Having personally played under Phil and Jamie I know the sort of tricks Phil has up his sleeve and the sort of cones Jamie will be working with on Sunday. It promises to be a tough game that's for sure."
“With the weather looking bleak and this game on 3G, I imagine this may be one of the only grounds to get your MSFL kick!”
Never has a football much meant so much to both teams. Norstar will be keen to avoid being on the receiving end of a giant-killing, with Peters aware of the dreaded JC Manager of the Month curse. SPEC FC know that a win could see them splashed all over the backpages of next week’s JC.
Boys, it’s over to you. May the best team win.
JC team news: Jonathan Peters and Zak Mcleod return to the Norstar squad after a boozy weekend in Dublin and Jamie Freed could return after being on fiancée-duty last weekend.
Venue – Hatfield Uni, Ref – Laurie Benson, KO – 10.05am
JC star man: Rob Blackman (Norstar)
DC Prediction: Norstar A 2 SPEC FC 1
To get more from Life, click here to sign up for our free Life newsletter.