Injury-hit Vale Rec coping admirably

TUESDAY night's victory in the Grand Fort Road derby made it six games unbeaten for a rejuvenated Vale Rec. Three wins and one draw in the Priaulx and two Fletchersports FA Cup victories mean the green-and-yellows have not tasted defeat since 15 November in the Jeremie Cup.

Vale coach Chris Hamon is pleased to see the hard work in training finally paying off.

'We've changed systems so it's taken a bit of time for it to bed in and the players to understand what we are trying to do,' he said.

'But we've been getting a really good turnout at training and the players have been working hard to carry out the instructions.'

However, Vale will have to face top-of-the-table Bels tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm) with a number of first-teamers unavailable. Danny Bisson and Matt Patch could both be out long-term while Ross Elliott is missing for at least two weeks with a foot injury picked up against North and David McNab is away skiing.

Nevertheless, Hamon is expecting a good contest, with two of his players, Gareth Holden, who scored a brace against North on Tuesday, and James McColl bang in form.

'Gareth Holden is a quality player. He has great feet and his confidence is right up there at the moment.

'He's very much a team player and always talking to the younger lads to help bring them along. There's a lot more to come from him. He does stuff in training that you just have to stand back and admire.

'And for me James McColl is the best centre half in Guernsey football at the moment.

'Saturday will be the third game in a row we've been forced to make changes because of injury but our squad is strong enough to compensate.'

Holden, who struggled with shin splints earlier in the season, is enjoying his football again after his time at North and he agrees with Hamon that he and Vale seemed to be finding some form.

'We've had a slow start, but we've got everyone together and it's progressed well from the start of the season with a nice balance between the senior and young players,' said Holden.

'I'm definitely enjoying it more, there's a good atmosphere at the club and I've been given a chance and that wasn't necessarily the case when I was at North.'

For the remainder of the season, Holden hopes to stay clear of injury and see the team move up the table no matter who scores the goals.

'I like scoring goals like everyone but also creating them and whoever scores doesn't matter as long as we get the three points.

'We want to finish in the top three and if we'd had a stronger start we would be challenging the top two.'

* TOMORROW'S third Priaulx League fixture sees Sylvans entertain Rangers at St Peter's (kick-off 2pm).