Duffy double helps ease Bels to victory

Bels 4, Vale Rec 0

BELS spared their sore-throated coach Micky Ogier from too much shouting at the Track last night. From the moment the home side took a second minute lead through Darragh Duffy, there only looked like there was going to be one winner on a comfortable night for the blue-and-whites.

Being the ardent man that he is, a hoarse-sounding Ogier could not stop himself from the occasional exclamation but he had no reason to be anything other than delighted with his team's performance.

'We have not played for a good few weeks, so to get a result like that was very pleasing,' he said.

Meanwhile, his opposite number, Chris Hamon, gave a honest assessment of his side's display.

'That performance was one of the worst I have seen from Vale Rec in many a year. The players know that, which I view as a good thing because they realise things will have to improve.'

Things looked ominous for the visitors in the opening seconds when Jody Bisson had to be alert and come outside his area to clear a through ball that almost set Marc McGrath clear.

Just moments later they fell behind when an unopposed Duffy had all the time in the world to slip the ball past an exposed Bisson into the bottom corner.

Also before the break, Joby Bourgaize and Leighton Chainey blazed attempts over the bar while Duffy had his appeals for a penalty turned down.

At the other end, Rhys Gower made his only save of note when blocking Gareth Holden's effort with his midriff after rushing out of his area.

Bels had to wait until the second half for the rest of their goals though.

McGrath was on hand to put home the rebound after Duffy had smacked the post with a volley to double the lead before the Irish striker made it three with a neat lob.

Bourgaize completed the scoring with two minutes left although Rec were understandably aggrieved that Duffy was not pulled up for a foul in the build-up.

There were positives for Hamon to take though in the performances of his three young substitutes Emile Thompson, Ben Ferbrache and particularly Mark Ramsden.

The Youth Two midfielder was introduced after just 28min. in place of the injured Tony Clarkson and he was excellent.

'All the young boys did very well coming off the bench tonight and it was difficult for them with a performance like that going on around them,' said Hamon.

Ramsden's brother Paul also impressed for Bels along with 15-year-old Ben Coulter, who started a Priaulx game for the first time and was totally unfazed.

'Ben was outstanding,' said Ogier.