Big games loom as Y1 top four face title rivals

SURPRISE has been expressed that Youth One games are being played on Sunday - despite Guernsey's under-16 and U-18 sides facing opposition in the UK the previous day. High-flying teams Sylvans and Vale Rec meet at St Peter's with lowly Rovers and Rangers facing each other at St Andrew's.

And on Monday night North and Bels clash in another eagerly anticipated top-of-the-table encounter at Northfield.

'I'm a bit surprised they have any junior games the next day,' said Sylvans Youth One coach Clive Bateman.

'They should have a couple of days' rest, especially at youth level, when they keep going on about protecting the kids,' he suggested.

He believes the GFA need to look at playing such fixtures on consecutive days in future and called for a rethink.

'You would not play a Priaulx game after an U-21 Muratti or senior island game,' said Bateman.

'It's an important game for both us and Rec and players could come back injured. It's something that definitely needs to be looked at.

'A lot of the games are going to be big games this year, especially with the league tables like they are. We have no injuries yet that I'm aware of as long as everybody comes back OK,' he said.

'I'm hoping it will be a good, exciting match and the players should be up for it.'

Meanwhile, Grand Fort Road neighbours Vale Rec and North will contest the Normandie Cup final (Youth Two) on Tuesday 25 March.

Prolific goalscorer Daena Bodie grabbed a hat-trick and Greg Roland the other for the Corbet Field outfit in their semi-final, with Tyler Singer and Sam Norris on target for Ray Green's Bels side.

'Bels were excellent and dominated us for 25 minute. Then Daena scored a beauty,' said Vale Rec coach Carl Le Tissier.

'I don't think we deserved to win 4-2 but probably deserved to edge it. Bels surprised me and played some good football and were physically strong,' he admitted.

'North are quite a strong side and any final is a 50:50 chance.'

North overcame a much improved Sylvans team with a 5-1 victory.

Matt Girard netted twice and Adam Martel, Michael Trotter and Callum Wall struck once for the winners, with Eyan Melrose netting the reply for the westerners.

Earlier in the season North emerged 18-1 victors against a 10-man Sylvans so decided to rest a few players for this semi-final game.

Jack Domaille and Alex Garner sat out for North, who were also missing injury victims Tom Kirk and Tom Russell.

They started their main strikers on the bench but brought them on after having taken a 2-0 lead and Sylvans had pulled one back.

'Sylvans put out a better side with a few more signings, putting on a better performance and showing signs of improvement,' said North Youth Two coach Paul Pengelley.

He believes it will be a tough challenge in the final against league favourites Rec, who beat them 4-0 earlier in the season.

'If we can get our full side out, we are definitely in with a good chance of an upset,' said Pengelley.

Sylvans coach Shaun Staples said his side is improving and getting stronger with every game after having struggled for players earlier on.

He now has 16 of that age group at his disposal but would welcome more, especially those not getting regular football elsewhere.

'Whatever ability they have got, if they are willing to put pen to paper for the club, we will give them a go. At least we are now putting out an improved side,' he said.

Anyone interested in talking to him about the possibilities out west who may be able to help on the playing front at Youth Two level can call him on 07781 102245.