Keeper Rowe tipped for senior Muratti honours

SCOTT ROWE produced one of the best goalkeeping displays seen at youth level for many years to deny North three points in the top-of-the-table clash at Northfield. And the 17-year-old, 6ft 4in. Bels stopper, who played for the U-21s in their 2-1 victory against Jersey a fortnight ago, is already being tipped for senior Muratti honours.

'I have not seen a better goalkeeper for his age since Jody Bisson,' said North's Youth One coach Ross Cameron.

'He was excellent and it was one of the best goalkeeping performances I have seen at youth level. He commands his box so well and I can see the lad playing Muratti.

'If it had been any other youth goalkeeper, we would have won 5-0. They talk about goalkeepers getting you a point and he certainly got a point for them.'

North dominated possession in front of a healthy sized crowd, but it was Bels who almost performed the ultimate smash-and-grab on Monday.

The blue-and-whites came within a whisker of stealing all three points against their Youth One title rivals, but the chocolate-and-blues' captain, James Mullen, cleared off the line with the last kick of the game after the visitors had packed the penalty area for a last-gasp corner.

That would have been particularly harsh on the hosts who had created by far the better chances but found goalkeeper Rowe in top form.

Aaron Lamb wasted the best opportunity of the first half, managing to miscue his shot straight to the keeper when it seemed easier to score from close range.

After the break, he was one of several Northerners to be denied by fine Rowe saves - Mullen and Matt Loaring also went close but were not able to break the deadlock.

'Their goalie was absolutely brilliant and he pulled off a fantastic save from a James Mullen blaster from 23 yards,' said Cameron.

'Our goalie did not make a save and he claimed three crosses from corners all night. We were disappointed not to get a win with how well we played.

'With Vale Rec beating Sylvans, the league is well open. There will be three or four teams up there and we will be one of them. If we play like that last night, there are not many teams that will cope with us,' said Cameron.

Vale Rec top the league with 18 points after their 4-3 victory over the westerners in the other top-of-the table clash on Sunday afternoon.

North are second on 13 points with a game in hand and Sylvans a further point behind having played the same number of games as the defending champions.

Bels have 10 points but have played two games fewer than the leaders.

Sylvans went 2-0 up against Rec through Josh Gallienne and Jamie Le Cheminant, but could have scored more goals: they failed to convert their half-chances and it proved costly.

'Rec knew if they got the next goal, they were back in it. We knew if we got the next one, it was game over but we did not kill it off. We took our foot off the gas,' said Sylvans coach Clive Bateman.

'The last couple of games we have had inconsistency of play for 90 minutes and have played one good half and a mediocre other half. I'm disappointed after playing so well in the first half and we have just thrown it away. We have to keep our concentration levels for 90 minutes,' he said.

'But in all fairness to Rec they had a couple of lads away too and probably felt the same.

'We can't afford to lose many more games and have made it a bit harder for ourselves and have to make sure we turn it on. We have to get back on track.'

Daena Bodie grabbed two goals for Rec, with Tom de Garis and James Bougourd netting the others.

'I am pleased for the players who they have been able to win a few games after our first game against North,' said Vale Rec under-18 coach Andy Bougourd.

'I hope that they can continue to improve as the season progresses.

'All the teams have plenty of matches left, so I cannot make any predictions at this stage of the season.'

Rovers secured their first Youth One point of the season after their 4-4 draw with Rangers.