Sarnian duo making their mark in USA

ROSS ALLEN has been in prolific form this season in America. The Sarnian is playing alongside fellow former Junior Island star Piers Ockleford for Florida Tech in the NCAA Division Two Sunshine State Conference and has scored 11 goals in their first 10 games.

Included in Allen's impressive haul are two hat-tricks, the first of which, against Trinity Baptist, was the first for the team in over eight years. Ockleford also scored in that 12-0 rout.

Both Old Elizabethans have started every match for the Panthers, who have won four and drawn one of those 10 fixtures.

One man not surprised by the duo's stateside success is Piers' father and Guernsey under-18 coach Paul Ockleford.

He said: 'The boys are two months into their four-year soccer scholarships in America and things are going well for them.

'Obviously they combine the football with academic studies but both have been pleasantly surprised by how serious the football side of things is over there.

'I've been listening to some of their games on the Inter-net and from what I hear and what Piers tells me, the two boys are figuring strongly in matches, with Ross in terrific goal-scoring form.

'They recently played their league's top team, Lynn University, who are so far unbeatable, and by all accounts they should have beaten them.'

Ockleford senior reckons one reason Allen and his son are proving big hits in Florida is because of their 'determination and tenacity'.

'Ross and Piers are the only two English lads in the team,' he added, 'and I think the mentality among some of the other players is that when they play better sides, they go out there with a bit of a negative attitude.

'In the Channel Islands and the UK, players generally are far more positive in their approach and certainly the boys have plenty of determination and tenacity, which is something I know their coach likes about them.

'It's hard work out there, with football training and studying most days, but the lads are enjoying it and so far things have gone really well for them.'

As for the future, 19-year-old striker Ross and central midfielder Piers, 18, both harbour ambitions to play professional football.

'That remains their aim,' Ockleford senior said, 'but there's a long way to go.

'Opportunities do exist over in America to play professional football but both boys know they've got to knuckle down and continuing to work hard both on and off the park.'