Saints hold their nerve

St Martin's 2, North 2

(aet, St Martin's win 5-4 on penalties) THE coaches agreed: penalties are not the most pleasant way to win a match.

But while St Martin's Colin Fallaize had a smile when he admitted that, North's Geoff Tardif wore more of a grimace.

'It is a shame it ended that way, but we were committed and deserved something from the game,' said Fallaize.

'On another night it could have been us going through. It's not nice to go out like that,' said Tardif.

'I thought we might have done enough to have earned a win in normal time. We had chances in open play. They made some great blocks in their own box,' he added.

Saints' defending was at times bordering on the incredible. Mark Coutanche and Etienne Ogier both produced superb sliding challenges in their own six-yard box to deny certain goals.

'We were very committed; we defended well,' said Fallaize.

There was so little between the sides that the lottery of spot-kicks looked likely almost from the start.

These were two exciting teams, profiting from the confidence their coaches are instilling. Neither was afraid to break forward in numbers. Goals were always likely.

St Martin's led early when Steve Concanen controlled and volleyed into the top corner from 12 yards.

Tom Duff quickly restored parity from the penalty spot after David Rihoy was brought down. Rihoy's extreme pace troubled Saints, especially when he was allowed space on the right touchline.

One of his many breaks set up Matt Le Cras to finish expertly into the roof of the net 10min. before the break.

Saints drew level when Nick Edmonds profited from a rare mistake by North's defensive rock Stu Polson. His was a composed strike low across goal.

During the regulation 90min. there was some fantastic, free-flowing football, if at times it was a little too frantic.

In extra-time, with the rain making conditions underfoot increasingly greasy, the skill level eased off and the teams were wary of making mistakes.

And so to penalties. Eight successful strikes later, still there was nothing in it.

Then Nathan Pattimore saved from Ben Duff - twice, as referee Matt Walsh ruled that he had encroached the first time.

Up stepped Mark Coutanche. Paul de Garis stopped his shot, again a re-take was ordered for the keeper leaving his line, and the Saints and island defender switched sides to fire the ball coolly into the keeper's bottom left corner.

'We've given ourselves another game,' said Fallaize.

'And there are medals at stake. Mind you, I wouldn't have minded three points tonight, either.'

Vale Rec 3, Bels 5

A SUPERB hat-trick from Marc McGrath helped to ease Belgraves into the Stranger Cup final.

The young striker showed composure that belied his years as, once again, Ray Queripel's talented crop of youngsters shone brightly at the Corbet Field against a disappointing Vale Rec.

McGrath deserved his three goals for an excellent all-round display but fellow youth players Joby Bourgaize, Sam Cochrane, Charles Pinsard and Wayne Cicmic all played important roles in this success.

However, it was one of the senior players that set Bels on their way as Paul Millar's first time shot on the turn gave them the lead on 11min.

The second came when Micky Ogier, who was allowed far too much time, sent a perfect pass for McGrath to run on to and slide the ball past Jody Bisson.

Moments later, he had his second as he headed home Pinsard's pinpoint cross after a positive run from the live wire Bourgaize.

Vale, who had appeals for a goal turned down when they believed the ball had crossed the line in a goal-mouth scramble late in the first half, had to attack in the second period and went to three at the back.

But that left more space for Bels to exploit and they were soon 4-0 up as Bourgaize deservedly got on the score sheet by applying a smart finish to McGrath's through ball.

Two goals in quick succession from Vale substitute Gregor Allen gave Bels a few nerves with quarter of an hour to go, but an 83rd minute breakaway saw Bourgaize return the earlier favour and set up McGrath for his hat-trick.

Jamie Blondel's simple tap-in following Andy Chamberlain's jinking run in stoppage time was of very little consequence.