Jersey match postponed

A waterlogged pitch has meant that Saints’ reserves are unable to play their friendly match in Jersey later on this evening.

Reserve team coach, Stewart Henderson, was expected to take a strong squad for the trip to the Channel Islands, with recent signing Zoltan Liptak looking to make his debut.

However, Liptak will now have to wait until Monday to make his Saints bow, where Saints’ reserves are set to face Lewes at Staplewood.

The game was also a chance for Jack Boyle to make a return to his homeland, after the Jersey-born youngster signed a six month contract with Saints back in Novemeber, and Boyle has impressed in the reserves during his short spell on the south coast.

Speaking to saintsfc.co.uk, Henderson said, “It would have been nice for Jack to go back as he’s done well in his short time here. He’s scored a few goals for us and we were also due to meet up with the Jersey Supporters Group after the game.”

Southampton have developed numerous links with the island through Football Chairman Michael Wilde, whose company Wilde Family Office is the main sponsor of the Jersey FA.

The friendly had been arranged to further strengthen the links between the club and the island, as well as giving the Southampton fringe players some much needed match practice, having not had a reserve fixture for almost three weeks.

As part of the trip, Saints in the Community staff were also offering coaching sessions to a number of local schools in a bid to further enhance the relationship between the Club’s academy and the island.

Saints are keen to re-arrange the fixture, and look set to contact the Jersey FA to discuss possible dates in the near future.