Former Muratti No. 1 may answer an SOS

FORMER Muratti goalkeeping star Ian Drillot will decide today whether he will come to Bels' rescue in their keeper crisis. The Priaulx champions are currently without their main goalie, Rhys Gower, and back-up Adrian Gidney. They are both out with long-term injuries.

Bels vice president Andy Robert has been in negotiations with the 37-year-old Drillot to try and prise him back for a couple of games.

Word had been going about that he had already agreed to help out, but Drillot refuted that.

'Far from it,' he said yesterday.

'I've spoken to Andy and certainly nothing has been finalised. There's a couple of things I've got to sort out and I said I'd speak to Andy tomorrow.'

The shot-stopper played in eight Murattis from 1992 to 2000. Since hanging up his gloves four seasons ago, the former Sylvans and North star has established himself as one of the most respected referees in the island.

But he did make a return to between the posts for Rocquaine United in the FletcherSports FA Cup earlier this month.

'That was a one-off for the FA Cup,' he said.

'I'm enjoying my refereeing. That's the priority at the moment.'

It is understood that Gower is out for the next two to four weeks with a calf tear. He was on crutches as he watched the Guernsey under-18 match with Hertfordshire on Saturday.

Gidney, who switched from hockey goalkeeping to the football version, is out of action with split webbing in a hand.

As a result, Robert was keen to secure the services of Drillot.

'He will help us out of a hole if he can,' he said.

'Anyone who has represented the island for such a while must be a decent keeper.'

Guernsey referees boss Graham Skuse is under the impression that Drillot will be temporarily hanging up his whistle for goalkeeping gloves.

'I think he's making a mistake,' said Skuse.

'I'd be disappointed if I thought I was going to lose him because he's a damn good referee. I have reason to believe it's for two or three games and I hope that's the situation.'

Bels were yesterday buoyed by the news that Mick de la Haye's red card, instigated by suspended referee Ian Le Prevost, has been overturned on appeal.

During Bels' C&W Priaulx league match with Rovers on 3 September de la Haye was reported by linesman Le Prevost to referee Colin Wherry, for using abusive language. Wherry, in turn, sent off de la Haye.