Vale end season on a high

Vale Rec 2, Rovers 1

VALE REC went part way to rescuing a disappointing season by claiming the Rawlinson Cup last night. The came from behind against Rovers at the Track to win 2-1 thanks to two goals from Gareth Holden.

And all without mercurial midfielder Trim Morgan, who appeared on the official team sheet with his name crossed out of the starting line up and included on the subs' bench.

He never showed and it seems possible that the midfielder, who has been linked with a move away from the Corbet Field, has played his last match for the Rec.

'I haven't seen him tonight, no,' admitted Vale coach Chris Hamon.

'Maybe Trim has an injury he picked up on Monday or something.'

Hamon admitted that he had heard rumours that the island player may be on his way, but all he has heard is that he could be leaving the island.

'I've heard he might be going back in October. I have heard nothing to say he's leaving to play for another club.'

Hamon was delighted that his team managed to secure some silverware at first team level in what has been a poor season. They slumped to finish fifth in the Cable & Wireless Priaulx League.

'At the start of the season we were playing some great football and results didn't go for us. Then we were playing well and winning games and then we lost players and things fell apart a little bit.'

Hamon still believes that he has the quality of player at the Corbet Field to make Vale Rec a trophy-winning force.

It took them some time to prove it yesterday.

Rovers dominated the early exchanges and deservedly took the lead on 29 minutes when Jamie Ferbrache picked up a rebound near the byline, dribbled to the edge of the six-yard box, beat a man and planted a shot inside Andrew Rigden's near post.

Tom Rihoy then struck an upright with a fierce shot but Rovers paid for not reflecting their dominance on the scoresheet.

Holden got the wrong side of impressive young defender Dave Moseley and finished coolly to level the scores on 40 minutes.

As the second half wore on Vale started to raise the pressure.

Jason Sarahs missed a few chances on the end of corners and free kicks, but Vale were effectively gifted their winner by goalkeeper Darren du Jardin, who, under pressure, took an age to control a back pass and then lashed it poorly to Holden, who stroked it into an empty net from 20 yards.

There was a predictable late rally from Rovers but the best chance remaining fell again to Holden. This time du Jardin did well to block.

n?ISLAND goalkeeper Jody Bisson had a scan yesterday on the abductor muscle he tore in the first half of Monday's Muratti final.

The Vale Rec captain was in the crowd as his team won the Rawlinson Cup, but his chances of reappearing in the Muratti next weekend could be slim.

'It's easing up as the days go around,' he said, 'but next weekend might be too soon. We'll have to see.'