North 'poor' in eight-goal win

THE frightening prospect for the rest of the Youth One league is that North's conveyor belt of highly promising youngsters shows no signs of slowing down. They began the defence of their crown in emphatic fashion - with an 8-0 victory over neighbours Vale Rec.

But perhaps more ominously for potential heirs apparent, their current crop of talented juniors did it without playing well and minus some key island players.

'I thought we were quite poor - we were not good at all - I think it was a bit of rustiness,' said North coach Ross Cameron.

He admitted, though, that all the goals - a hat-trick from Matt Loaring, two apiece from Nigel Hutton and Scott Bougourd and the other from left back Danny Giles - were good ones.

'We are strong this year but there is room for improvement. We have Miles Pengelley and Aaron Lamb to come back who are both island players and will bolster our team,' said Cameron.

'Regardless of the score, I judge it on how we played. Our shape was not very good and our passes were going astray.

'I was slightly embarrassed going in at half-time 2-0 because we did not deserve it. But in the second half we took our chances with some good goals,' he said.

North neither lost nor gained any players in the close season and Cameron is hoping for another Junior Upton appearance.

'I hope we go on to win it but I know Bels and Sylvans will be strong and I think they will be our two main rivals.

'Last year we had an exceptional group of players. It would be interesting to see how this year's would play against last year's. I have high hopes we can go on and play in another Upton,' he said.

Cameron is tipping Hutton to be a player to look out for this season - he will be pushing for a regular Jackson place and possibly knocking on the Priaulx door.

Despite the early setback, Vale Rec have been boosted by the signing of one of the island's most promising players, Greg Roland, who has switched from Sylvans and is still eligible for Youth Two, and also that of his under-16 island teammate, Marcus Piercy.

Both played against North although Roland was withdrawn in the first half as a precaution after his return from an injury sustained in the inaugural Nigel Gavey Memorial Trophy match.

'We are certainly pleased to have both these players in the squad. They are both excellent footballers and increase the competition which is a positive for us,' said coach Andy Bougourd.

He was disappointed with both the performance and result at Northfield.

'We know we are a better football team than that and we are looking to put things right this Sunday against Rangers and in the next few games. We just want to put that performance to the back of our minds and start afresh this weekend,' he said.

'I still have a positive outlook for this season. I don't particularly hold any one aim but to be competitive and get the right performances on the pitch and when we play well we will get the results and that will help in the league.'

Sylvans are still countering the surprise loss of Roland, who scored a hat-trick for Guernsey in last season's Star Trophy draw with Jersey.

'It's a big disappointment. It's a big blow and unfortunately he is strengthening Vale Rec now,' said Youth One coach Clive Bateman.

But that did not detract from his side as they beat Rovers 8-0 at St Peter's at the weekend.

Josh Gallienne netted a hat-trick in the first 55 minutes, Luke Green and Brady Lesbirel notched two each and Matt Le Prevost was also on target.

The westerners went into the break 3-0 up but Bateman was far from happy at half-time with the way they had played.

'Everything I told the lads to do they went out and did the opposite. Rovers caused us a couple of problems in the first half and we rode our luck,' he admitted.

'We regrouped and our shape in the second half was a lot better and it was one-way traffic. The football and our movement off the ball and passing were a lot better.

'The first half was typical of the first game of the season and finding your feet.'

Sylvans face St Martin's at Blanche Pierre Lane on Sunday before their big clash with North at St Peter's a week later.

'We will make sure the lads are not overconfident and we have to make sure we keep our heads down for the game against Saints and our attitude and preparations are right,' said Bateman.

Looking further ahead to the North game he added: 'That will be a big test for us - we came quite close to beating them last season. It's all down to mental belief and concentration and it will depend on the boys.

'North are beatable - if they have the belief in themselves, they can beat them.'

Bateman believes Le Prevost, who starred in the Priaulx's 2-0 win against the same team the day earlier, has a really good touch and vision for a lad his age.

Rangers opened their Youth One season with an 8-3 win against St Martin's at St Andrew's.

They took the lead after just 25 seconds through Dave Cusack, who went on to score four more.

Stefan Loveridge netted a free kick, Youth Two player Scott Snell was also on the scoresheet as was an own goal.

'He is an incredible striker - so natural,' said coach Simon Goddard about Cusack.

'It was a very good performance. A few players lacked fitness and that we will need to work on.'

Four Youth Two players showed potential in the match - Snell, left back Alex English, 'Toz' Armstrong and Sam Inder.

'I'm looking at finishing second or third in the league and the Loveridge Cup I want to win,' said Goddard.

'I can't see anybody beating North.

'Out of the first four games I have set a target of 10 points,' he revealed.

Wayne Bishop struck twice and Gowan McCarthy once for Saints.

* IF YOU have a youth football story or any views on the youth game or ideas, contact nmollet@guernsey-press.com or call 240233.