Tired North succumb to their neighbours

VALE REC and the Stranger Cup go hand in hand. And thanks to a convincing victory over their Grand Fort Road neighbours at Northfield on Saturday, the green-and-yellows will appear in yet another final tomorrow night.

'It's our cup, isn't it?' said a smiling Chris Hamon after the game.

The way his team performed, he deserved to be smiling.

All three of their goals were well-worked and delightfully taken as North showed signs of tiredness - this being their fourth game in a week.

The visitors had a 1-0 advantage at the break after young striker Laurence Abbott played a neat one-two with Matt Falla and slotted home on 35min.

Any chance of a North fightback seemed to go with Jacques Isabelle after he was sent off for two bookable offences within the space of just a few minutes at the start of the second period.

The first yellow was for chopping down Stuart Bisson from behind and the second for dissent.

After that, Rec utilised the extra space and produced some decent football.

James Coquelin should have scored with a far post header but directed his effort just wide.

However, he was to make amends with 10 minutes remaining as he drilled home a volley from just inside the area after being found in acres of room by Gavin Bougourd.

The win was wrapped up two minutes from time with the best move of the match.

Rec strung together pass after pass before creating an opening down the left where Marc Rihoy fed Dave Woodhead, whose initial touch sat the ball up nicely and his second rammed it into the net.

'We deserved the win. It was a good game of football although it was a shame their guy got sent off - it sort of ruined the game as a contest,' Hamon said.

'We started to play some good football out there and the third goal was excellent - a dozen or so passes, patient build-up play and a great finish.'

Despite it being early in the season, North coach Mick Le Prevost was happy that his players now have a rest before they open their Priaulx campaign against Rangers on Saturday.

'We worked hard and created a couple of chances but I am quite pleased we can concentrate on the league now and I can bring in some of our juniors,' he said.

'I have never been involved in a team with only two substitutes - those boys in the dressing room are out on their feet.

'They have played four games in seven days and it's just too much. It would have been alright if all the squad had been available but we have got nine missing.

'As far as I am concerned, our season starts with the Priaulx next Saturday.'