Sylvans raid Northfield for island stars

SYLVANS' new coach was yesterday celebrating the capture of two island players in former westerners Paul de Garis and Tom Duff. 'I'm very pleased. They both have bags of experience,' said Sylvans' boss Martyn de Garis.

'They're both island class players and that's what we need,' he added.

'We've now got three good goalkeepers with Paul, Richard Davey and young Ashley Williams.'

And no sooner was de Garis announcing his prized captures, he was adding the names of two more North-rners, Junior Island full-backs Sam Matth-ews and Anthony O'Regan.

Rovers, meanwhile, are being linked to two island-class defenders in Michael Wilson and James McColl.

Both attended a Rovers players meeting last week, but blues' boss Martyn Dorey is far from confident of signing either.

'If either or both come it would be a massive boost to the club,' said Dorey.

'But if I said there's a really good chance of both coming I'd be shooting myself in the foot.'

Capturing Wilson, who has been linked with Rovers for some months, would seem the more likely and Dorey is convinced that if the former Portsmouth player decides to quit Northfield he will sign for Rovers.

One probable capture, though, is Scott Gallienne from Sylvans.

'It looks 90% certain,' said Dorey, still reeling from the loss of star striker Simon Tostevin.

'Losing Tosty was a big blow. I'd hoped he would give me one season.'