McGrath shoots Bels to the top

BELS winning the Priaulx League for the first time in nearly half-a-century is no half-baked idea. Last night's 3-1 win over plucky, but ultimately out-gunned Vale Rec in the rain at the Track, showed just what Micky Ogier's side are about.

Skill by the bucketful, youth on their side and, with Paul O'Neill back at the heart of the midfield, physical strength in what is generally a lightweight outfit.

With 10 min. to go it seemed as if Bels had blown it.

Marc McGrath had given them a nearly lead - not before they could have had three - and the home side were dominating the second half when, out of the Marais side gloom, Gareth Holden cut in and curled a fine shot across and beyond the keeper.

Bels could have dropped their heads, instead they hit back to regain the lead inside six minutes.

Simon Marley, one of three second half subs for Bels, put McGrath in on the inside-left channel and the prolific scorer found the far corner.

A couple of minutes later King's free-kick from the right touchline picked out Brent Marquand who out-climbed a team-mate to head home a goal that ensured Bels lead the embryonic table with two wins from two.

Earlier in the evening champions Sylvans opened their league account with a 5-2 victory over Rangers.

'The result was very pleasing . . . and it was certainly pleasing to score five,' said Sylvans' boss Joel Avery, who left himself out of the side after playing in the defeat by Bels.

'I'm very pleased with the young boys we've got,' said Avery, whose side was again led by 16-year-old Tom Strawbridge, the youngest first-team captain in the club's history.

'We're under no pressure and I'm sure we'll only get better,' said Avery, who saw his brother Jarrod round off the proceedings with a fine, well-worked goal just before time. It was 2-2 at the break.

Dave Toussaint and Jonathan Le Tocq twice put Sylvans ahead in the opening 45 only for Shane Billien and Sam Bird to equalise.

However, goals in the second period by Matt Le Cras and Le Tocq, again, gave the home side breathing space.

In the Rouget Cup Sylvans beat Vale Rec 5-2 with Kevin Andrews hitting three and Olly Pearce and Matt Papworth one each.