Bels' title dream just hours away

BELS have spent much of the past seven months wanting North to lose. But last night the champions-elect were cheering them on and breathed a sigh of relief that a 2-1 win over St Martin's allowed them the chance to wrap up the title under their own steam at the Track tonight.

One helluva party is planned and, word has it, several local bookies will be digging deep into their tills to pay out on some very generous odds offered late last summer.

It's estimated that Track lane punters will pick up in the region of £4,000, but one particularly lucky supporter stands to scoop £1,500 plus his £250 outlay at 6-1.

Bels, who face Rovers at 7.30pm, will have close to a full squad to pick from with both Joby Bourgaize and Billy Page having trained on Monday night and looking fully fit to resume action after very different knee injuries.

Irish striker Darragh Duffy also trained, albeit gingerly, but is not expected to do more than pull on a tracksuit and sit in the stand on what promises to be the biggest day in Bels' history for nearly 50 years.

Coach Micky Ogier said he is not in the slightest bit excited and instead of a visit to the Northfield last night was down at the Track watching the blue-and-whites' Youth One side.

Veteran captain Leighton Chainey admitted to a few butterflies, though.

'Everybody is looking forward to tomorrow and we've got a bigger squad than usual.

'Quite a few are still injured but will have their kit on.'

The skipper has been a revelation all season and is eyeing the chance of two title parties. One at the club's 'bunkered' HQ tomorrow and a second one in Barcelona at the end of May.

Chainey said that the realisation that Bels were ready to break their title drought came in late December.

'After we beat North a second time we started to reckon we could win the league.

'Since then our crowds have picked up and we're playing well. It gives you a gee-up to play in front of more than one man and his dog.'

Ogier has ruled out any embarrassing on-pitch celebrations and nothing like the full length dive in the mud when Bels again beat North early in January to rubberstamp the title.

He is also keen to stress that there is still a match to be won.

The chances of Rovers spoiling the party are fairly slim and should the trophy be handed over at the final whistle one of the first hands Ogier will shake will be that of his predecessor in the job, Ray Queripel, Winkle Wallace and Paul Franklin.

'The whole squad would like to thank them for what they've done over the years and particularly what they've done for the juniors.'

nTWO players received straight red cards in last night's Cable & Wireless Priaulx League games.

At Northfield, the home side's Michael Wilson was dismissed in the chocolate-and-blues' 2-1 win. Jon Veron's brace gave the hosts maximum points.

Across the road at the Corbet Field, Sylvans' Carl Wallbridge was sent off in the 1-1 draw against Vale Rec.

Jon Baudains scored early for Vale and Neil Clegg equalised just after the break.