Ref steals the show to coaches' chagrin

Belgraves 1, St Paul's 3

TWO powerful headers from midfielder Craig Russell and a fine individual goal from Brett Pitman secured the John Leatt Trophy for the Jersey under-16 champions at a sun drenched Track yesterday afternoon. The Jersey side just edged a competitive match, which saw a fourth- minute booking for Bels' Billy Page for not retreating the full 10 yards at a free kick.

Referee Mark Fallaize set his stall out from the first whistle and frustrated both set of coaches with some inconsistent officiating throughout the 80 minutes.

Bels started the game well and the influential Steve Le Lerre was at the heart of all the best moves the home side were able to produce.

The first real chance in an ill-disciplined game fell to Jersey striker Pitman, who was a handful for the Bels defence all afternoon, but his shot was well saved by keeper Jamie Rive.

In truth, both sides failed to live up to their billing and never showed their real ability in a stop-start affair.

St Paul's, to their credit, had the best player on view in 6ft-plus Craig Russell who never stopped running all afternoon.

It was he who opened the scoring on 35 minutes when a superb corner from Pitman found the big midfielder who swooped low to bury a header past Rive.

The goal prompted Bels into action and the lively Page tormented the St Paul's defence three times in quick succession with his pace and narrowly failed to beat the keeper at the end of one particularly mazy run.

The second period sprang into action when Le Lerre was booked for a bad tackle on the yellow-and-blacks' Ryan Langdon.

Both teams at this stage were trying to string some good moves together but Jersey's use of the long ball paid off for them midway through the half when a superb one again found the head of the unmarked Russell to make it 2-0.

Bels never gave up the cause and five minutes later were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area at the clubhouse end of the Track.

Page struck a good shot, which was turned away for a corner and as the resulting kick came into the box referee Fallaize awarded a penalty to Bels, having spotted a push.

But before John Gauvain was allowed to take the penalty, Fallaize was called to his fourth official Ian Le Prevost, and St Paul's assistant coach and former Muratti striker Brent Pitman was sent to the dressing rooms for comments he had made.

After a long delay, Gauvain planted a left-foot drive past Jersey keeper Matt Brooklyn to make it 2-1.

Jersey maintained their lead when BrettPitman outstripped the Bels defence and rifled home a good goal to cheer up his father who watched the rest of the game from the main gates.

St Paul's coach Mick White was scathing of the referee.

'He gave free kicks for minor things and did not punish the brutal tackles. It seemed to me he was interested only in his own performance and not the kids'.

Bels' assistant coach Micky Ogier backed up the Jersey coach's comments.