Junior Island star signs for Sylvans

PIERS OCKLEFORD has signed for title-chasing Sylvans. The former Ranger and last season's Guernsey under-18 captain is now waiting for clearance to play for the westerners having spent the first part of this campaign studying at and playing for Florida Tech.

Sylvans coach Martyn de Garis, who worked with midfielder Ockleford at Junior Island level, was delighted with his new acquisition.

'He is a very good player,' he said. 'He is here until the end of the season.

'It is a good signing, especially with Matt Warren out for a while, Ben Hewlett has broken his toe and Steve Brehaut is injured.'

Tomorrow Sylvans visit the Corbet Field for a vital encounter with Vale Rec.

'It is a big game for both sides because we don't want to allow North to get too far ahead,' said de Garis.

'Everything is close at the top so we have just got to concentrate on picking up points.

'We will look to be positive.'

Chris Hamon's second-placed side could close within two points of North should results go their way tomorrow.

'We will go into the game confident because we have not been losing of late. We are now seven games unbeaten,' he said.

'You never know what you are going to get with Sylvans. Potentially they have a very good side but they are not always able to get their best players out.'

Hamon should have Jason Sarahs and Gareth Holden back to strengthen his squad, although Stuart Bisson is away.

Meanwhile, teenager Garry Dodd will make his Priaulx League debut as leaders North look to cope without several first-team regulars tomorrow.

The chocolate-and-blues face Rovers with coach Mick Le Prevost needing to reshuffle his pack due to injuries, suspension and holidays.

It means island table tennis star Dodd will get his chance.

'We have got a good XI but we are struggling for numbers on the bench,' he said.

Included in North's list of absentees are Gavin Le Page, Steve Ozanne and Paul Page, who are all away this weekend.

Meanwhile, Glyn Dyer is suspended, Craig Young is also unavailable and Stuart Polson is still struggling with injury.

On the plus side, Simon Johns is set to start having missed much of the season so far.

'Every club gets injuries and they just have to deal with them,' Le Prevost said.

'We have never yet had our full squad together this season and it is not just one or two players missing, it always seems to be five or six.

'But we keep plugging away and the side we have out are looking forward to this game.'

Rovers recently lifted themselves off the foot of the table with a come-from-behind draw against St Martin's at Port Soif, which Le Prevost emphasised can be a tough place to go in winter.

'Everybody says Rovers shouldn't pose us too many problems but that is not the way I look at it. We have to focus on every game, try to win and get the three points,' he said.

'We have three games in seven days coming up - Rovers, then Saints on Tuesday and Rangers the following weekend - and we will take each game as it comes and not worry about what others are doing.'

Tomorrow's other fixture sees champions Bels visit St Andrew's.

* IN THE C&W Jackson League last night, North beat Vale Rec 4-3 with a last-minute goal from Joan Loaring and St Martin's defeated Rovers 3-0.