Chocolate-and-blues claim derby honours at Corbet Field

Vale Rec 0, North 2

MICK LE PREVOST was delighted to be back to winning ways last night ahead of Saturday's big clash with Bels. Goals from Dave Rihoy and Simon Tostevin early in either half sealed maximum points for North in a potentially tricky Grand Fort Road derby at the Corbet Field and gave the chocolate-and-blues a confidence boost ahead of their meeting with the champions.

'After taking one point from our last possible six, we needed these three points. They were very important for us,' said Le Prevost.

'We are looking forward to Saturday now against Bels. Those are the games you want to be involved in.'

It was an efficient display from North who spurned several good chances on the way to victory over a Vale Rec outfit who showed once again that they are capable of knocking the ball around but lacked a cutting edge.

The visitors took the lead in the third minute when Dave Rihoy was alert to knock in the rebound after Jody Bisson had somehow managed to block AJ Saunder's close-range effort following Jon Veron's sterling work down the left.

Further first-half chances for North fell to Saunders, Tostevin and Matt Dorrian but a combination of wayward finishing and good goalkeeping from Bisson kept the gap to one goal.

For the hosts, Gareth Holden twice went close in the opening period, firstly with a long-range effort that flew just over the bar and the second a volley that flashed wide after he was picked out with a marvellous ball from the impressive Mark Ramsden.

But any Rec hopes of a second half fight back diminished just six minutes after the turnaround.

Tostevin and Rihoy helped on Richard Davey's long punt forward to leave Saunders facing Bisson one-on-one.

The keeper made a fine save but Tostevin was on hand to side foot the loose ball into the empty net.

Saunders could have put the game beyond doubt 10 minutes later but his shot slid past the post and Rec knew it was not going to be their night when appeals for a handball against Ollie McKenzie in the box were not upheld.

Late on Tostevin had the ball in the net once more but the offside flag had been raised.

'I'm very pleased. The boys battled hard tonight, tried to do the right things and we won 2-0 and maybe we could have had a couple more goals,' Le Prevost said.

Chris Hamon came away frustrated with the goals his side conceded but keen to focus on the positives.

'We gave them a very early gift goal, we spoke about it at half-time and then we lasted six minutes into the second half before we gave them another,' he said.

'In general, though, I thought we played very well. We kept possession of the ball and had as many chances as them but we were not clinical in front of goal. We did not work their keeper enough and that's what we are going to be working on now.

'Overall, those are the types of performances that deserve something and it's up to us to get something.'