'Nobody puts a hand on a referee,' says Skuse

REFEREES' czar Graham Skuse has defended under-fire official Ian Le Prevost following the Mount Hale bust-up which saw him send off three, including Rovers' Railway coach Paul Ferbrache. Having read the referee's match report, Skuse said that it was his belief that 'there was overwhelming evidence that there is a case of misconduct to be heard'.

Skuse supports witnesses' claims that Ferbrache poked the referee in the chest in addition to using foul and abusive language to the official in charge.

Ferbrache was shown a red card while on his mobile phone.

'I don't care how bad a referee may perform in the eyes of a coach, nobody puts a hand on a referee. He is not there to be prodded or poked or jostled.'

An anonymous witness at the game phoned the sports desk this week and slated Rovers for their 'appalling behaviour'.

'They were not sportsmen at all and it really upset the people in Alderney,' said the woman.

She added: 'Their coach and one of their linesmen were trying to encourage their team to come off the pitch.

Rovers lost the match 4-2 and in addition to having Ferbrache, Andy Mahon and Mark Pemberton red-carded, there is a suggestion they ended the game with only eight players on the pitch.

Rovers' Ian Limond yesterday said that the club were dealing with the matter internally and it would be on the agenda for Monday's weekly meeting.

'We will deal with it in the normal manner, but until we've seen the referee's report, I can't comment,' he added.

Two weeks into the new Cable & Wireless Priaulx League season and there is plenty of evidence to suggest that we are in for another competitive league.

St Martin's have come out flying, as have North and just behind, Vale Rec are already shaping up to be stern challengers with Trim Morgan back in the fold.

But if anybody deserves a huge pat on the back at this time it is North coach Geoff Tardif.

He has lost half a team and yet thanks to the club's excellent development programme, the chocolate-and-blues can still wipe the floor with both Rangers and Rovers while playing flowing, enterprising football.

In contrast, there must be a few worried frowns down the Track way.

Four straight losses for Belgraves have seen the pre-season optimism swept away before you can name the Greek team that won Euro 2004.

Ray Queripel's belief that his young team could challenge for the title have been swiftly eroded and on early evidence they will be challenging for the wooden spoon.

Off the pitch there was widespread relief among the GFA hierarchy that the pro-Track campaign has dissolved in the fashion of Bels' early-season defending.

Foote's Lane is the future, the Track the past.