Coach plans to play his way to a Priaulx medal

Vale Rec 0, Bels 3

BELS will be crowned Priaulx League champions a week on Wednesday if North fail to beat Rovers. But Bels coach Micky Ogier - incidentally now again a player-coach for the remainder of the season - expects and hopes North win and give his side the opportunity to claim the title at home to Rovers on Wednesday 1 March.

Ogier has already booked the following day off work.

'I've told them at work I'll be taking the day off,' said Ogier, who gave himself a stoppage-time run-out in this flattering win at the Corbet Field and plans to play a part in each of the blue-and-whites' remaining six league matches as to qualify for a championship medal, the first of his career.

Ogier also confirmed the same applies to fellow veteran Lyndon de Carteret who enjoyed a slightly longer run-out against injury-ravaged Vale.

'I'd like to say a special thanks to all the lads who have told me and Lyndon to get on with it and do it,' said Ogier, whose side won again despite one of their least-impressive performances of the season.

Billy Page received the Cable & Wireless player-of-the-month award for January before kick-off but the youngster, wearing a knee support, was clearly not fit and, after 24 subdued minutes, gave way to Danny Felbabel.

Until the closing moments, Bels had led by Paul Ramsden's early goal, a fine opportunist effort which would not have happened but for Jody Bisson's sliced attempted clearance.

Bisson, who could do no right with his clearances all afternoon, kicked straight to Ramsden 30 yards out and the young midfielder sent it straight back goalwards where it sailed into the net just underneath the crossbar.

Vale came back well and twice Mark Ogier hit the crossbar, first with a firm header on Stu Bisson's corner and the second time with a cracking 25-yarder.

Reserve John Kerr, normally a third-team player, wasted a good chance of levelling early in the second half but long before the end Vale ran out of steam and in the closing moments were punished twice more.

Marc McGrath made the points safe with a superb right-foot drive from 20 yards having cut in onto his favoured foot and deep into time added on Scott Bradford made it three.

Vale boss Chris Hamon said the score flattered the champions-elect.

'Obviously, a 3-0 scoreline totally, totally flattered them.

'At half-time we could have been 2-1 up and got ourselves 3-1 up if John had scored early in the second half.

'All three of their goals were gifts.'

In a generally poor game no player impressed more than Leighton Chainey, the Bels captain.

Time and again he soared to win balls in the air and when he needed to, showed he still possesses a turn of pace.

'He's been the best player in the league all season,' said his coach.