Bels start favourites in 'massive' top-two clash

PRIAULX champions North and title rivals Bels clash head-on this afternoon in a crucial game for both clubs at Northfield. A victory for favourites Bels would be a severe psychological blow to the chocolate-and-blues' attempts to retain their crown and would send Micky Ogier's side three points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand on their opponents.

But a North win would reinvigorate their three-way challenge for the title with St Martin's, with the trio locked on 22 points each.

Bels would comfortably settle for a repeat of the 1-0 victory secured on their most recent visit to Northfield by a towering Matt Drillot header.

'We want to win it, but it's not the end of the world if we don't,' said Ogier yesterday.

He has a full squad to choose from, with Paul Ramsden returning and long-term injury victim and hot young prospect Billy Page back in training.

'I'm quietly confident. Since we beat them, we have been playing some good football, keeping the ball on the floor. We are the form side and we have been knocking in the goals,' he said.

'We have been playing some attractive football and if we play like that, we should win.

'Team spirit is high. Training is enjoyable for the players and coaches and we are all having a good laugh.'

As if losing midfielders Gavin Le Page and Alex Le Prevost to a lengthening injury list was not damaging enough, North will also be without bright young spark Matt Loaring, who is playing for Grammar in Jersey, and Simon Blondel, who has returned to university.

'It's disappointing because Matthew has been playing well and he will be a big loss. But there is not a lot I can do as it's school football,' admitted coach Micky Le Prevost.

'With all the injuries we have, Bels will be rubbing their hands, but we will just get on with it. It's a massive game that we need to win if we can.

'If we perform like we did against St Martin's on Wednesday night, then we are in there with a chance. If we put in the same workrate and effort I think we can get a result. It's all up to the boys once they cross the white line,' said Le Prevost.

He promised his lads would be properly prepared for the clash.

'We are going out there to win the game. I would think Bels will be favourites because they have no injuries, but it won't be a lack of trying from my squad.'

One plus is that doctor Matt Dorrian has done North a favour and made himself available.

Today's game will be one of the biggest in the club career of Northerner Jamie Ferbrache after his summer switch from Rovers.

'I think everyone will be up for it - both North and Bels. It's a huge game and the team that wants it more will win it,' predicted the 24-year-old assistant manager of the trade-execution department at Credit Suisse.

'We have to go out and win it. We only have to play them once more in the league so will be relying on other results if we don't beat them. After losing to them last time, we want to get one back on them and it adds to the motivation of beating them to get on top.'

'Jaffa', as he is known to his teammates, has no regrets about his move to the champions from Port Soif.

And he has not let the side down, chipping in with goals in the absence of injured twin-tower strikers Simon Tostevin and AJ Saunders.

He has been playing in a different role, with his back to goal more rather than mostly facing the net as at his previous club.

'My game is starting to pick up and I'm getting used to the way North play,' said Ferbrache.

'It's more of a challenge getting into the team personally. Playing with better players around you improves your game and it's been a good move.

'The competition to get into the team will be even more when Tosty and AJ get back, which means you have to play to the best ability you can. By the time Tosty and AJ get back, I will be fighting for my place.

'Tosty is a huge player I have played with before at Rovers and we have always been at the same school as well. Hopefully I will be able to keep my place, but Craig Young is playing very well as well. But I can also play in midfield.

'I knew quite a few of them from school and there were a few familiar faces and they have all made me feel welcome.

'There is a good team spirit and always a good turnout at training, which is a good thing. At Rovers there was a good team spirit but there was not always everyone at training, which makes a huge difference.'

Ferbrache is far from waiting on the end of his phone for a possible island call-up.

'If I get offered a place, fair enough, but I'm just trying to play as well as possible for North. From now on just keeping my place would be good for me,' he said.

North started the season well, but the injury-ravaged side have had some minor blips since.

But they bounced back on Wednesday with a Stranger Cup semi-final win against Saints to gain revenge for their recent Priaulx League defeat.

'We moved the ball around well, especially on the counter-attack, and we created a lot of chances. There was a lot more talking among the team and a bit more determination to get the ball back,' said Ferbrache.

He is unaware of how many goals he has scored this season.

'I don't keep a tally - I try and score as many as I can and the more I get the better for the team. Scoring more than 20 would be good and I'm probably nearly there with about 15,' he claimed.

Ferbrache, who played for Guernsey at U-21 level, admitted today is one of the biggest games of his club career.

* IN THE other Priaulx matches today, two strugglers meet with Rovers entertaining Vale Rec at Port Soif while Rangers travel to St Peter's to face Sylvans.

All games kick off at 2pm.