Sylvans snatch win in season curtain-raiser

SYLVANS beat Vale Rec on penalties last night as the local football season got under way. The westerners won 4-3 on spot kicks to lift the Martinez Cup for the ninth time in 10 years. The score was 1-1 after extra time.

Both teams were without several first-choice players and the match was played in a friendly spirit. Winning caretaker manager Tony Vance's verdict that it 'wasn't a classic' was something of an understatement.

But Vance, standing in for the holidaying Tristram Morgan, was satisfied with his patched-up team's performance.

'This was basically our first pre-season friendly and it was a good workout for the lads,' he said. 'There were lots of tired legs out there but everyone worked hard for a tough 120 minutes.

'Although it wasn't the most entertaining game you'll see this season, there were quite a few chances. You could argue that either side had the best of the game and a draw after 120 minutes was the right result.

'There are plenty of things for us to work on to come out of tonight. Certain people know they will have to work harder to get in the team this season and so far everyone's attitude has been first class.'

Vale's defeated manager Ray Blondel was encouraged by his injury-plagued team's display.

'It worked out perfectly for both teams, although we could have done without extra time because all the lads were shattered and we picked up another injury,' said Blondel.

'Overall that's exactly what I wanted. It was a good workout.

'There were no losers out there. It was a reasonable game played in the right spirit and our performance was fine.'

New signing Neil Clegg put Sylvans one up from the penalty spot five minutes before half time.

David MacNab then put behind him last season's nightmare with a well-taken equaliser after an hour.

Sylvans' Ian Potter scored the decisive spot kick after Vance and Vale's Matt Patch and Andy Chamberlain had missed their penalties.