'Back to his best' Rihoy out to keep North top

FOOTBALL managers often talk about big games, but today's clash between Sylvans and North at St Peter's is without doubt massive for both sides. Mick Le Prevost's North sit top of the table on 27 points after 12 matches, while Sylvans are down in fourth on 21, although they do have a game in hand on the chocolate-and-blues.

Reigning champions Bels are in second place, five points behind the leaders. They also have a game in hand.

'It is big when you think we'll be nine points clear of them if we win, but they will still have a game in hand on us,' said Le Prevost.

His opposite number at Sylvans, Martyn de Garis, also views it as a must-win.

'It's a big game for us because we need the three points to keep us in contention,' he said.

'If we do win, we will be three points behind with a game in hand. And it's important to North as well as they will want to get away from the chasing pack.'

Sylvans go into the match without Matt Warren, Ben Duff, Antony O'Regan and Andy Bass. Captain Warren is out with a long-term knee injury, while defender Duff picked up a hamstring problem in Sylvans' FA Cup victory over Clubhouse Casuals. O'Regan and Bass are both suspended.

The red-and-whites' former island striker, Ryan Tippett, has recently returned to Guernsey from Australia and is expected to return to the Sylvans line-up. But it seems he will now be going back down under in the next few weeks and de Garis declined to say whether he will feature for Sylvans while he is here.

North have a few missing, too. Craig Young and Matt Dorrian are unavailable, while Gavin Le Page is still out injured and Glyn Dyer is suspended.

Simon Johns could feature, having returned to training this week from a long lay-off. There is also a doubt over AJ Saunders, who has a groin problem.

But the juniors, who missed last week's game while away with the island under-18s, will play a role.

Le Prevost's son, Alex, looks set to start in midfield to allow big Simon Tostevin to go back up front, while Jon Loaring, Richard Moore and Will Woodford will all be on the bench.

Sylvans will have concerns over Dave Rihoy, who was on top form against Saints last week, scoring four goals. Le Prevost believes he is back to his best.

'Without a shadow of a doubt, but as I said to him afterwards, he's got to start doing that week in, week out,' he said.

'If we play like we did against St Martin's, then we could go quite a long way this season, but if we play like we did against Vale Rec, then we won't.'

The game starts at 2pm.

Today also sees Bels entertain Vale Rec at the Track with a 2.30pm start. Both teams are on 22 points, but Rec have played two more games than the title holders.

According to Bels coach Micky Ogier, Sam Cochrane is back from the UK for the match and talented junior Ben Coulter is also available. Their captain, Leighton Chainey, has been struggling with an ankle problem, but should be OK, while midfielder Scott Bradford is away.

Ogier does not view the match as more important than the next.

'You've got to win every game,' he said.

'We beat them comfortably last time and if we go out with a good attitude, we stand a good chance.'

Rec have been playing out of their skins of late and are on a five-game unbeaten streak. The last time they lost in the league was against Bels back on Wednesday 8 November when the score was 3-1.

Vale coach Chris Hamon has named an unchanged squad to the one that drew with Saints on Wednesday night. Striker Gareth Holden is still off the island, while defender Jason Sarahs is unavailable due to illness.

'They're working hard in training and they are certainly putting the miles in on the pitch, but we need to convert more goals,' said Hamon.

'We always seem to give Bels gifts, but on our day we'll give anyone a game and that seems to be the make-up of the league. Everyone is capable of beating each other.'

Bottom-placed Rovers host St Martin's at Port Soif today in a 2pm kick- off.