Tim Durrans

Guernsey FC Women head coach Anna Gauvain says the club is building a foundation for the future as it prepares for its first FA Cup match against Chessington & Hook United. Formed in 2023, the team won the Jersey Football Combination in 2024-25 and became the first women’s side from the Channel Islands to compete in an English league the following season. Captain Candice Bougourd highlighted the team’s improved experience, strong squad and academy pathway, with the club aiming to progress in cup competitions and improve its league position.

Plymouth Argyle manager Tom Cleverley says the club will not panic after a 3-1 home defeat by Stockport County in their opening League One match. He points to the team’s strong record since February and last season’s recovery to eighth place, while midfielder Malachi Boateng accepts that the squad must improve when it visits Wycombe. Argyle remain without three attacking players through injury, Caleb Watts is expected to return, and Cleverley is considering adding a forward or wide player before the transfer window closes.

Exeter City winger Gwion Edwards is unconcerned by the club’s winless start after defeats by Plymouth Argyle in the Carabao Cup and Grimsby Town in League Two. The 33-year-old says Exeter’s youthful squad needs time to develop, while he is playing through a shoulder injury and taking on a senior mentoring role. Edwards, who has made more than 450 EFL appearances, is pleased to have returned to League Two under manager Matt Taylor after spending the previous season in the National League. Exeter next host Accrington Stanley.

Barnet manager Dean Brennan says the club is better prepared to challenge for promotion to League One after finishing eighth in League Two last season. Although Barnet lost several key players, including Ryan Glover, Anthony Hartigan, Mark Shelton and Callum Stead, the club has recruited 10 replacements to improve squad depth. Brennan highlights his 54% managerial win rate, Barnet's recent success and the example of Bromley, while acknowledging that the team must improve from eighth place to a play-off or automatic-promotion position.

Hampshire captain Georgia Adams urges her team to reset mentally ahead of Women's T20 Finals Day despite topping the group after a strong campaign marked by consistency and adaptability. Reflecting on past lessons, she emphasises simplicity, composure and focusing on each match individually. Hampshire’s varied lineup and standout performances, including Adams’s own contributions and Maia Bouchier’s scoring, underpin what she calls a remarkable team effort. The Hawks face Durham for a place in the final against either Surrey or The Blaze.

Fin Stevens says his transfer to Leyton Orient is an ideal match as he aims to revive his career after limited playing time at St Pauli. He reflects on his productive loan at Oxford United, acknowledges the competitiveness of League One, and praises manager Richie Wellens’ approach. Stevens hopes consistent performances at Orient will help him return to the Wales national team after earning two caps in 2024.

Reading appointed former Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman as assistant to head coach Leam Richardson, replacing Rob Kelly, who departed for personal reasons. Coleman brings nearly three decades of managerial experience across league and non-league football, including leading Accrington into the EFL. Richardson welcomed the appointment, citing Coleman’s strong record and experience.

Toby Samuel aims to break into the world’s top 100 after debuting at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, where he pushed 15th seed Jakub Mensik to five sets. Rising from outside the top 1,000 at the start of 2025 to a career‑high 123, he highlights the value of experience gained from recent tough matches. Samuel now turns to Challenger and ATP events in Canada and the United States as he targets a place in the US Open main draw, noting hard courts as his strongest surface.

Kyreece Lisbie describes his move to Reading as a chance to prove doubters wrong after overcoming repeated youth-level rejections. The winger highlights his development, strong mentality and excitement at joining a club he considers a major step forward, praising Reading's facilities and targeting promotion. He reflects on interest from multiple clubs, his father’s football legacy and the club’s progress under manager Leam Richardson.