I should have had 10, says hot shot

MARC McGRATH'S fourth hat-trick of the season last Saturday took him equal top of the senior goalscorers' charts. Surely nobody expected to see the teenager knock in five against an admittedly-depleted North at the Track to take his tally for the season to 21.

Yet the cocksure striker, one of the most reliable finishers in the game, said he could and should have had more.

'I could have had more. If my finishing had been a bit better I could have ended up with 10.'

The 6-1 victory was yet another result to sum up Bels' topsy-turvy season. Their inconsistency is renowned and even their star striker struggles to explain it.

'We seem to be good one Saturday and then it comes to the weekday and we're a completely different side. We need to start getting that right if we're going to improve in the league.'

Even down to last Saturday's fixture.

'I don't know what happened really. Everything as a team for Bels going forward went right and seemed to be under control. It was a good performance, but North did lack some experienced players.'

Bels, too, it could be said, typify the young-looking elevens appearing in the Priaulx today.

McGrath's strike partner was Youth Two starlet Billy Page, and alongside him were Youth One team-mates from last season, including Joby Bourgaize, Paul Ramsden, Sam Cochrane and Rhys Gower.

'It's brilliant playing with all the boys. I go around with a lot of them who play down there, and it's good being there with your mates.'

No-one who has seen McGrath, still only 18, in the last couple of years would be surprised to see his elevated position in the goal stakes.

There are few better players in the penalty box in the local game, but the closest the youngster has had to a full island squad call-up is a letter indicating the dates of this summer's Island Games.

Although he craves an island call-up, McGrath is in no hurry to promote his chances.

'I would think of myself as quite a good finisher, but my tackling could be better - if you've ever seen it you'd know why - and I could maybe work a bit harder.'

McGrath's father, John, is still among the goals too in increasingly-restricted appearances, including a last-minute winner at Victoria Avenue just before Christmas to snatch three points for St Martin's against Bels in the Railway League.

Son used to always watch his father play.

'I watched every game of his. Even if it was raining, I was down there watching.

'A lot of people have said to me: ?You're quite like your dad, with your all-round game.? But apparently his finishing wasn't as good. I keep winding him up about it.'

One area where he does not resemble his old man is portability. McGrath was a frequent wanderer between clubs, but McGrath's sole move has been as a Youth Two player, when he switched from Vale Rec. to the Track.

He feels he can achieve with Belgraves, but places personal opportunity behind the chance to improve the club's standing.

'To improve our club's position would be the best thing for me. After all, if it wasn't for the other players I wouldn't score at all - but to be fair, I wouldn't mind finishing top goalscorer this season.'