Overdue change of luck for Bels captain

Vale Rec 1, Belgrave Wanderers 2

BELS dedicated their 10th Stranger Cup win to their mourning skipper Leighton Chainey and at the same time erased the memory of a miserable defeat in last year's final. It was Vale's turn to produce the shocker at the Corbet Field last night, a point readily recognised by their boss, Chris Hamon.

'It was a thoroughly deserved win for Bels. We were woeful. They obviously wanted it more than we did.'

That sentiment was particularly applicable to the man who lifted both the Stranger trophy and Rex Bennet Memorial Trophy as man of the match.

Mike de la Haye has long been cheesed off at losing finals and it was time to celebrate.

'I must have had about eight finals with four different clubs and it's the first time I've won,' grinned the veteran central defender who said the team had been determined to win for Chainey, who missed the game after his mother died.

'It gave us the extra eagerness to go on to win it,' said de la Haye, a point echoed by new player-coach Micky Ogier.

'We won it for Leighton. We went out for him tonight.'

Thrashed by Saints last year, Bels were ahead after just two minutes, young Brent Marquand rifling an unstoppable shot into the top corner as Vale's defence gave an early indication of their generosity.

Vale defended poorly all night and they also gifted Bels their second to Darragh Duffy on 59min. as well as a string of other chances that were not taken.

Had it not been for Jody Bisson's usual excellence and the visitors' profligacy Bels would have have no need to worry about sub Dave Woodhead's 89th minute goal for Vale and the eight minutes of stoppage time referee Kelvin Seeds allowed for Bels' supporters to gnaw at their nails.

'At the end of the day we could have had five or six,' said Ogier, who brought himself on for the closing moments and scurried around central midfield as if his life depended on it.

Vale might have guessed it was not going to be their night when striker Gareth Holden wasted a sitter after just 35sec.

Craig Le Lerre then had strong claims for a penalty rejected and Stuart Bisson cracked a long-range shot against the crossbar as Vale, prompted by Trim Morgan, got on top in the 20 minutes leading up to half-time.

Morgan himself went close just before half-time but the second knocked the stuffing out of the yellows who faded badly and could have been punished further.