St Martin's out to stop rejuvenated champions

ST MARTIN'S boss Colin Fallaize is normally not keen on using football cliches. But as his St Martin's team sit second in the Cable & Wireless Priaulx League and face champions Bels at home today, he finds himself uttering one of the best.

'I know it's a bit of an old cliche, but we've had to take every game as it comes,' said 'Big Fal' yesterday.

'Tomorrow we've got Bels and it would be fantastic if we got a win. We're going to go out and get amongst them.

'We had training last night and the boys are up for it.'

Saints have enjoyed a great run of late.

They have not lost in the league for nearly a month and that was at the hands of Bels on Tuesday 19 September.

Since then they have beaten Sylvans, Rovers, Vale Rec, Rangers twice and had a decent draw with North last weekend.

Even though the black-and-whites have played a couple of more games on those around them, some might say that they have been punching above their weight.

'We haven't got a squad with the flair and ability of maybe Bels or North, but I think we've got a side that makes them difficult to beat,' said Fallaize.

Saints' utility player Darren Le Tissier, Will Thompson and keeper Nathan Pattimore are out of today through injury.

Simon Geall is also a doubt, depending on whether he can get a plane back in time from France where he is studying to be an advocate.

For Bels, Sam Cochrane is not available for the next couple of months as the gardener is in the UK on a work course.

By all reports, goalkeeper Rhys Gower was back at training this week and could possibly take the gloves back of 41-year-old Andy Priaulx who has been standing in.

Bels have started to look like the team they were last season, which saw them steamroll everyone in the league.

Their livewire striker, Marc McGrath is in terrific form and is set to lead their attack today with Neil Clegg.

'We've turned the corner,' said Bels coach Micky 'Budlo' Ogier.

'We had a chat down at training where everyone had their say and it's enjoyable again. I think if we put our chances away against St Martin's, we will win.

Sylvans will be looking to spark up their season again today when they face bottom-placed Rovers at St Peter's.

The westerners' last two games against St Martin's and Bels have ended in defeat.

Matt Warren triggered off an old knee injury in the Saints match and is out for month. Ben Hewlett is also unavailable today while Tom Duff returns from suspension and former island player Steve Brehaut will feature as well.

'After our two disappointments, it'd be good to get back and play some football,' said coach Martyn de Garis.

Former Sylvans player Scott Gallienne will make this Priaulx debut for Rovers at centre back.

Rovers coach Martyn Dorey is expecting good things from him and from his other new signing, Dale Webb.

The forward has come from the business league. After six matches, the Port Soif outfit has yet to earn a point but Dorey believes their luck is going to change.

'We just want a run with the ball,' said Dorey.

'Overall I'm really pleased with how the season is going. I'm hopeful that from here to the end of the season we'll start picking up some results.'

St Martin's and Bels kick off at 2.30pm at Blanche Pierre Lane, while Sylvans and Rovers gets under way at 2pm, St Peter's.

The other Priaulx League fixture sees Rangers host Vale Rec at 2pm at St Andrew's.