Saunders and Veron cheer the North faithful

Vale Rec 0, North 2

NORTH showed they can battle as well as produce pretty football as they slugged their way past determined, well-organised opposition on a Corbet Field pudding last night. 'We made them sweat,' said Vale's banned coach Ray Blondel, speaking in his role as one of six subs, and he was right. They did.

For an hour, North supporters in a decent-sized crowd must have feared dropped points to complete an already miserable day.

Not only had they been forced to withdraw their women's side from the forthcoming winter women's league, but their ground has been temporarily put out of commission for night games, due to an unsafe floodlight pylon.

But up popped AJ Saunders to score a fine opportunistic goal on the hour and with time virtually up Jon Veron raced away to make it two.

Tardif later admitted he had growing concerns until Saunders broke the deadlock.

'I thought AJ took his goal really well. Heavy pitches reduce skills levels but we can battle as well as play nice football and we showed it to tonight.'

Blondel, his opposite number, had no argument about the result. 'They were the better side and deserved to win,' he said.

As is their style, North made a fast start and within the opening five minutes Dave Rihoy had chipped just too high of Joby Bisson's crossbar and Veron had hammered an 18-yarder against a post.

Before too long, Ben Duff added to the list of near misses, his header being headed off the line. But Vale smothered and spoilt and with a high work rate began to carve out a few chances for themselves.

Marc Rihoy showed his brother that the footballing talent in the family was not totally reserved for him, by slicing through from the left and bringing a good stop out of Steve Gibson, who had a fine game, perhaps his best yet in deputising for Paul de Garis.

Only a linesman's flag denied Matt Patch volleying Vale in front on 52min., the lone striker having already wheeled away and begun his celebrations when referee Matt Walsh spoiled his fun.

Dave Rihoy then raced clear at the other end only to prod the ball just wide, but Saunders broke the deadlock soon after.

The big striker dealt well with a high ball into the box and with a swift turn he screwed a right-foot effort across Bisson and into the far corner.

Vale weren't finished yet, though, and Gibson made a stunning block to deny Marc Rihoy as he was faced with a one-on-one 15 yards out.

In the final minute, sub Dudley Boscher freed Veron with a neat ball and the speed merchant was clear away to score.