The big boys can really play

Rovers 3, Vale Rec 1

SIZE mattered last night as the physically imposing Rovers beat Vale Rec 3-1 in the final of the under-14s Le Vallee Cup. At times the match under the Track floodlights looked like men against boys as Rovers, with the likes of Kane de Carteret, Daniel Ozanne and Selby Beaton, who are all around six foot tall, towered over their Rec opponents.

But there is more than height to this team from Port Soif that are unbeaten in Youth Three football. They proved they are also decent players capable of nice, attacking football.

Defeated Rec coach Tony Clarkson was able to joke about it afterwards.

'Whoever says size doesn't matter is lying. That's my comment on that game,' he said.

His opposite number at Rovers, Ian Ozanne, was naturally delighted with his team's performance.

'I'm well pleased with that and I'm very happy for the boys,' he said.

'They turned in a good performance, especially in the first half. We knew it was going to be a tough game and full credit to the Rec lads. They put up a good show. They've got some decent players.

'It was just a good team effort.'

It was Ozanne's son and captain, Daniel, who put Rovers in front after four minutes when he spectacularly chipped Rec's keeper Andy Rumens from around 30 yards out.

The yellow-and-greens hit back immediately when their dangerous forward Glen Le Tissier had a strong run on goal and his effort was turned around by Rovers shot stopper Adam Bullock.

At the corner it was Rec's centre midfielder Allie Venosa who was at hand to put the ball into net after a mini melee in the goalmouth.

The game was nip and tuck for a little while until Rovers took the lead again when left-winger Blair Hewitt danced past the Rec defence to put the ball around Rumens into the net.

The Rec bench were aggrieved, feeling that play should have been stopped when Le Tissier seemed to have picked up a knock to start the move, but young referee Candice Simon had allowed play to continue.

This was the turning point for the blue-and-whites as they stamped their authority on the match when a couple of minutes later at a corner de Carteret executed a delightful header on the penalty spot to make it 3-1.