Hamon knows nothing less than three points will do

IT'S do or die for Vale Rec at the Corbet Field tonight. Cable & Wireless Priaulx League leaders Sylvans are the visitors and Rec coach Chris Hamon admitted that his side cannot afford any slip-ups against the westerners, or for the remainder of the season to have a chance of the title.

'Every game from now on is a must-win game for us if we want to win it,' he said.

'We need to win games, we also need North to drop points and we need Sylvans to drop points. It is a big ask, but we will give it a go.'

Rec have Trim Morgan available once again following the influential midfielder's return to the island from his Christmas break, while Gareth Holden was due to return yesterday.

This will be Vale's first outing since 11 December whereas Sylvans played as recently as Sunday's 3-0 victory at Rovers.

Hamon was grateful for the break to allow some injuries to heal within his squad, but admitted that there was a worry that his players could be a little rusty.

'We had a couple of slight knocks going into the Christmas period and they have all cleared up, so in that respect the break has been good for us.

'On the other hand, we have not got the match practice we would like going into a big game like this, but the players are hungry for it,' he said.

Hamon saw today's opposition in action at Port Soif at the weekend and found it a shame that Rovers missed the penalty to make it 1-2 because it 'would have added a bit of spice' to the game, but he also paid tribute to his opposite number at St Peter's.

'We know what Sylvans are about and they know what we are about. It should be a good game but, for us, the points are vital.'

If Sylvans fail to win at the Corbet Field, across the road North could capitalise by beating Rangers and reclaiming top spot in the table.

Geoff Tardif will once again be fielding a youthful side with both of his experienced central defensive pairing - Stuart Polson and Michael Wilson - currently suspended. Paul Page, who deputised for Wilson last week against Rovers, has returned to university.

The North coach admitted that he was 'just praying' that the junior players in his Priaulx side came through last night's Youth One game against Bels unscathed.