Specsavers shock Priaulx strugglers

SPECSAVERS on Saturday became only the second non-GFA side to dump a Priaulx League club out of the Fletchersports Guernsey FA Cup. Former island star Tony Vance, who is now Steve Ogier's coaching assistant with the representative squad, scored two stunning goals to help the Business League outfit to a 3-1 victory in front of a good crowd at Port Soif.

Brent Blondel, one of several Specsavers players who have a Priaulx winner's medal, had opened the scoring, with the Rovers consolation coming from Andy Simon.

'I think the lads really deserved that victory. The whole team played so well,' said Vance.

Specsavers will now face Bels, North or Vale Rec in the semi-finals. The draw will be made on Wednesday morning.

Holders St Martin's lost their grip on the trophy at the Corbet Field, where they let a two-goal lead slip against Rec.

'In the first half we didn't press them and gave away two needless free kicks that they scored from but we turned it around in the second half and I'm pleased to be in the hat,' said Vale coach Chris Hamon.

His Saints counterpart, Colin Fallaize, was not impressed with his team's performance.

'I'm very disappointed,' he said.

'It wasn't much of a game and I thought we were equal to them. We were sloppy at the back for their goals but apart from those, our keeper had nothing to do all game.

'We didn't have enough passion or commitment, but I thought we deserved something.'

In yesterday's quarter-final, any hopes of another upset were soon banished as North thrashed Long Port 9-0. Jon Veron scored five of the goals.

'We came up against a good young side who were fit and passed the ball,' said Long Port's captain Steve Brehaut.

'We gifted them the first couple of goals and then we just couldn't contend with their fitness and the way they passed the ball.'