Bels' boss riled by GFA

BELGRAVES coach Ray Queripel says his team is being punished for providing players for the island. Queripel is unhappy that a request to have tomorrow's Norman Piette Priaulx League game against Rangers postponed was rejected by the GFA's league, cup and grounds committee.

'I would like this game off. I don't see why we should be punished for our lads playing for the island,' said the Bels boss, who also has several senior players sidelined through injury.

'We are down to the bones now.'

Queripel, whose team have slipped down the table, have five juniors in action for the island under-18s in tomorrow's FA County Youth Cup second round match against Middlesex.

The five are Charles Pinsard, who scored twice in Bels' 4-3 midweek defeat by Sylvans, Joby Bourgaize, Sam Cochrane, Chris King and Marc McGrath.

St Martin's, second in the table, play Vale Rec and leaders North take on Rovers in two other Priaulx games scheduled for tomorrow, but at those local fans will have an ear out for news from Harrow and the island under-18s progress.

Youth coach Tony Vance, who many years ago represented Middlesex when playing for Enfield, expects a tough game.

'I imagine we will be up against it.

'They will have players who experience this level of football week in, week out.'

Vance takes a squad of 17 to the UK and they include his inspirational captain, Darren Martin.

The Northerner has been sidelined for a month with a back problem and although he has not played a full 90 minutes in that time he is expected to line up in central midfield.

In changes to the squad that beat Northampton-shire under-18s 4-2 in the first round, fit-again Brent Marquand returns and Sam Stables comes in for the injured Danny Wickins.