Vale in 'Trim' for big game

TRIM MORGAN returns to action against Bels tonight as Vale Rec look to begin another extraordinary run of Stranger Cup victories. The mercurial island midfielder was yesterday having the stitches taken out of the nasty cut he picked up against Moorings Bar in the Fletcher Sports Guernsey FA Cup, an injury which kept him out of Saturday's defeat at Sylvans.

'Trim is playing well this season. He is doing everything right, staying out of trouble, not getting involved in petty little things and letting his feet do the talking,' said Vale Rec coach Chris Hamon, who also welcomes back David MacNab and Jamie Ogier.

'Trim is a quality player, but having said that, on Saturday we were minus him, Nabby and Jamie, who are three very good players. Meaning no disrespect to guys who came in, take that quality out of any side and you are going to struggle. We are thankful that we have got them back for this game.'

Throughout the 1970s and '80s, the Stranger Cup was regarded as Vale Rec's property. The club has won it on 21 occasions, dominating that period with 17 victories in 18 years, including 14 times on the bounce.

Hamon was an integral part of the team for much of that time and he wants the new generation to try to emulate those achievements.

'It is a cup that we take very seriously.

'The Stranger means a lot to Vale Rec because of our history in it and I said to the players before the season, we won it 14 years on the trot; why not start another run now?' he said.

Rec reached the final with a comfortable 4-2 win over holders St Martin's in the semi-final and their league position makes them favourites, especially with a virtually full squad to chose from.

But Bels will provide tough opposition as they look to win the trophy for the 10th time.

Micky Ogier's side has already dumped the green-and-yellows out of this season's Jeremie Cup and they pulled off an excellent 2-1 extra-time victory over North to reach the final of this competition.

However, captain Leighton Chainey is unlikely to feature for Bels tonight due to a family bereavement.

'We will certainly not be taking them lightly. They have already put us out of the Jeremie Cup so we know that if we do not perform on the night and they do, they are capable of beating us,' said Hamon.

'It has got all the makings of being an entertaining final. It should be a nice open game, preferably with Vale Rec winning to make it a perfect night,' he added.

The Stranger Cup final kicks off at 7.30pm at the Corbet Field.

n?In yesterday evening's Cable & Wireless Youth One League, St Martin's beat North 2-1, North eased past Rovers 8-0 at Northfield, while Rangers came away from the Track with a 6-2 defeat of Bels.