Intriguing four-horse Y1 race still neck and neck

THE most intriguing and open race for the Youth One title for decades is hotting up. Champions North currently top the table but the three teams breathing down their necks would all replace them at the summit if they won their game or games in hand.

Vale Rec lie a point behind them in second place, with Bels a further point back.

But perhaps best placed are Clive Bateman's Sylvans side, who are currently two points adrift of the leaders but having played two games fewer.

North and Bels again shared the spoils 2-2 when they met in their latest exciting encounter at the Track on Monday night.

In their previous tussle, one of the best young goalkeeping displays North coach Ross Cameron has ever witnessed by Bels' Scott Rowe resulted in a 0-0 stalemate.

'It was a good game of football and entertaining. They had a bit more possession, but we coped with everything and everyone dug in,' said Bels coach Ray Queripel Snr.

He insisted the draw was a fair result for both sides.

'They had a couple of chances and we put a couple wide. We probably got more at them this time and Robbie Williams was superb up front again for us. Matt Sawbridge was also excellent in centre midfield,' said Queripel.

It was Williams, who is now a regular in the Bels Priaulx squad, who grabbed both his side's goals.

But they were again indebted to Rowe, who saved a first-half penalty taken by Nigel Hutton with the score at 1-1.

Danny Giles had given North an early lead and Hutton's deflected effort with 10 minutes left

salvaged a point.

Queripel stressed every game now is important and Bels have some tough fixtures coming up.

'I think it's going to go right to the end with four teams. Vale Rec have a problem with the North but seem to do all right against the rest and it's a nice little league,' he said.

But he is unhappy that his already slender squad has been losing players in schools football.

'We are down to the bare bones,' he admitted.

Bels have just signed Leon Gardner from St Martin's, who was on the bench for the game, and have a Youth Two goalkeeper in their squad. They were already losing a regular player, who was injured playing basketball, and another was ill this week.

'We have been running on a 13 or 14 player basis all season and that includes Youth Two lads. To be where we are in the league with the amount of players we have is fantastic. They have done better than I expected at this time of year,' said Queripel.

He has even had to abandon training several times to give them a rest, especially those playing schools' football as well.

North coach Ross Cameron was disappointed not to collect three points on Monday.

'For us it was a game of missed chances. In the first 10 minutes we had three very good chances and with 10 minutes to go we hit the woodwork twice,' he said.

'I thought we did enough to win the game. On reflection we created more and I think Bels were happy with holding on for the draw. We were pressing and the clock just beat us.

'It was a little bit disappointing, but not the worst result. I still think it will go to the last game of the season for all four teams. I have never known a league like it - it's great,' he said.

North and Bels Youth One sides clash again tonight in the Loveridge Cup.

'I expect it to be another tough game and it could go to extra time,' predicted Cameron.

Weather put paid to the other scheduled top-of-the-table clash between Sylvans and Vale Rec on Tuesday night.

Last night's Youth Three fixture between North and Rec was also postponed.