Rangers and new-boy Wickins to tackle Veron

FRESH from destroying the Naval Air Command, four-goal Jon Veron could come up against a familiar face when he lines up for North in one of tonight's two Stranger Cup ties. Former Northerner Danny Wickins is set to make his first-team bow for Rangers against Veron and his chocolate-and-blue team-mates at Northfield.

Mac Gallienne, Rangers' coach and former North boss, knows his injury-hit squad will have their hands full trying to keep Veron quiet.

'He's a cracking player, phenomenal, and has all the skill in the world,' said Gallienne of a forward who toyed with the statuesque Naval Air Command defenders on Saturday.

Rangers won last time out, ending an 18-month spell without a win, but Gallienne is beset by selection problems.

'I've got an injury list as long as my arm,' said the Rangers boss, who will also be without the suspended Dave Parrott. Bailey is definitely out, while Cluett, Coburn and Flint are all rated doubtful.

No such problems for Geoff Tardif, who watched Veron's electrifying display against the NAC and, 24 hours later, three of his reserves - AJ Saunders, Dudley Boscher and Gareth Holden - bag hat-tricks in the 12-0 thrashing of Rovers.

Matt Le Cras was also on target in that Jackson mis-match and is expected to be included in the 16 for tonight's game.

Like others, Tardif was thrilled by Veron's performance against the Naval Air Command.

'He's one of the most exciting players around,' said the man who has coached the striker for the past decade.

'It's lovely to see the flicks and turns you teach them as 10-year-olds being put into practice in games. He's top-quality.'

Tardif said that possibly the difference between the Veron of last season and this term is that he now feels he should be playing at this level.

'That extra year of senior football under his belt has made the difference.

'He's also a little bit stronger. His strength in holding people off has improved. He's also matured.'

In this evening's other Stranger Cup first-round clash, Vale Rec play host to a Rovers side which has faltered after an encouraging start to the campaign.

Tomorrow evening, in the same competition, defending champions Sylvans play Belgraves at the Track.

Sylvans will hope to have player-coach Tristram Morgan available after he withdrew from the Malaya Cup clash with a calf strain.