Holders make their intentions very clear

THE Stranger Cup holders are in no mood to relinquish the trophy. Bels produced what their coach Micky Ogier described as 'probably the best game we have played all season' to cruise through this first round tie with Sylvans.

Danny Felbabel led the way with a hat-trick for the blue-and-whites, who were officially the away team despite using the home dressing room at their own ground, while there were also goals for Paul Ramsden, Leighton Chainey and Billy Page in a comprehensive win.

The westerners arrived at the Track seemingly determined to have a go at the Priaulx leaders with Michael Mussard playing just behind the front two and it was Jarrod Avery who got off the first shot of the night which flew over the bar from fully 30 yards with less than two minutes having been played.

But the tide soon turned and for the majority of the game wave after wave of Bels attacks came at the Sylvans defence.

The opening goal on 13min. was a gift as Richard Davey dropped Scott Bradford's cross when under no pressure and Felbabel gratefully rolled the ball into an empty net.

The Sylvans goalkeeper made amends midway through the half, saving with his feet to deny Ramsden, but the Bels left-midfielder did not have to wait long to get on the scoresheet.

Felbabel created the goal with a run down the flank and a pull back from the byline.

Ramsden, who was impressive all night, took a touch and poked the ball home from close range.

Ten minutes before the interval it was three - although it could have easily been five or six by then - as Felbabel shot high into the net from 10 yards after Sylvans failed to deal with Ramsden's cross.

There was still time in the opening half for Davey to save well from both Bradford and Darragh Duffy.

The westerners still believed they had a chance playing with the wind after the turnaround and with 25 minutes remaining Neil Clegg reduced the deficit with a shot out of nothing that flew into the far corner across Rhys Gower, who was probably too cold to move having had nothing to do previously.

The two-goal margin was to last a matter of seconds, though, as Chainey headed home from a corner to restore the lead .

The rout was completed with a couple more goals within the space of a minute late in the game.

The fifth saw Marcus Queripel find fellow substitute Page with a square pass across the box, which the Junior Island striker controlled and then drilled home via the inside of the post.

Straight from the restart, Bels broke and Felbabel completed his hat-trick with a sliding finish that he lifted over the oncoming Davey.

'It should have been double figures.

The way we played tonight just ripped them apart,' Ogier said.

'Everyone played well - it was a good, all-round team performance - and Danny Felbabel, what a signing he has been for us.

' JACKCOWANS scored both goals as St Martin's beat Rangers 2-1 in Youth One last night while North defeated Vale Rec in Youth Two.

James Mullen got the home side's goal at the Corbet Field.