Mac out to down champs

PRIAULX League champions North face a potentially tough trip to St Andrew's to meet Rangers as they begin their defence of their title tomorrow. But coach Mick Le Prevost insists he would much rather travel up there in September than when the rain and mud arrives in the new year.

'It's always a fortress up there and it's not the best football ground in the island - whoever goes up there will find it hard,' he warned.

'It's compact and you can't play a lot of football there - it's all about taking your chances.'

He hopes his side are boosted by the senior island call-ups for youngsters Kyle Stone and Craig Young.

And he was raving about the early season form of Stone, who grabbed the extra-time winner to earn them the first silverware of the season in the Martinez Cup.

'On his day he can be the best player in the island. He is coming to his peak and hopefully we will see him firing on all cylinders.'

Le Prevost has the services of son Alex and Glyn Dyer to call on and insists everybody in the North camp is up for the match, keen not to be drawn on his side's chances of retaining their prized crown.

'Whatever team I put out will give 100%. We were champions last year and we will take each game as it comes and see where it takes us,' he said.

After improvements to the pitch, Rangers' boss Mac Gallienne is hoping to make their home advantage count and install the venue as 'a bit of a fortress'.

'We are aiming to get three points - I'm not going to settle for anything different. We aim to win all games and will go through with the same attitude whoever we play.'

Jon Veron will be looking to shoot his old side down at the first attempt since leaving Northfield and is expected to pose problems for the champions along with Ross Allen and George Prow.

Duncan Flint and Dave Cusack are in contention for starting berths after returning from their holidays. Aside from long-term injury victims Andy Chamberlain and Iain Lowe, Gallienne has a full-strength squad.

'We have had a chat with the boys and told them what we want and we just hope they deliver.'

Title favourites Bels head to Blanche Pierre Lane in good shape and with confidence bolstered by a 4-0 win over St Martin's in the Rawlinson Cup final on Wednesday night.

Saints, whose fresh-faced ranks now include former Bels players Ben Coulter, Danny Felbabel and Charlie Pinsard, are tipped by many pundits to mount a serious title challenge.

Bels coach Micky Ogier is not underestimating the importance of the opening league encounter after the midweek exploits.

'It will be a different game for sure - their defence was a bit shaky last night,' he said yesterday.

'We have done our homework and hopefully we can come away with a win. We are going up there to win, not draw.'

Ogier has virtually a full squad to select from, with Scott Bradford vying for a starting spot and only Billy Page missing through suspension.

'It's very important we get a win - three points against Saints, who will be title contenders, would be good for us and put us on our way,' he said.

Ogier believes the Priaulx League will be the best and most hotly contested for many years.

'There are some good sides out there at the moment. Saints, Sylvans and North are all liable to take points off teams and if you are not careful Rangers and Rovers are liable to take points as well,' he said.

Saints supremo Colin Fallaize will be without the injured Simon Geall, honeymooning skipper Kevin Graham, suspended Jason Winch and broken arm victim Liam Roffey for tomorrow's opener.

'What I did take out were the positives of people playing for the first time this season.'

He does not believe the result of tomorrow's encounter will have a massive bearing on the rest of the campaign.

'I would not expect things to go hunky dory when you are considering building a side and it will take a little while. Hopefully we can learn very quickly,' said Fallaize.

In the third of the appetising opening day Priaulx triple header, injury ravaged Sylvans welcome almost equally depleted Rovers to St Peter's.

When it did not appear as if it could get any worse the westerners will be missing even more players than the injured Micky Wilson, Lee Renouf and Tom Duff, with several unavailable due to work commitments or holidays.

They include Danny Watts, Anthony O'Regan and Eduardo Santiani, while Matt Seeds is out with a broken nose and Naro Zimmerman is sick.

'On a scale of 0 to 10 it's about 3 or 4,' said coach Martyn de Garis on the worsening situation.

One bright spark is that inspirational skipper Matt Warren returns after an injury scare.

'We will manage and struggle through and it's important to get a win under our belts. Out of what we have left, everyone is remaining positive. We have to get a good start and compete as much as we can. I imagine it will be quite a tight game. But we will have to play a lot better than we did against Rovers last time, where there was a lack of effort and commitment,' admitted de Garis.

Rovers, after their plethora of close season signings, will be heading to St Peter's with spirits high, but they too are struggling with injuries and illness.

Dave Mosley, Sam Le Tissier and Gez Overstall are all out and Luis de Jesus is a doubt.

There were also question marks over the availability yesterday of former Sylvans' strike duo Ryan Tippett (knee niggle) and Carl Wallbridge (stomach virus).

'We have no chance of finalising a line-up until we get to St Peter's,' said coach Martyn Dorey.

'Rovers' whole season revolves around gaining league points and we are looking for points in every game. We started last season with eight league defeats in a row and we need points on the board early. It's always good to get a good start,' he said.

All matches kick off at 2pm.