St Martin's working with GFA after three red cards

ST MARTIN'S AC could be in hot water after three Youth One players were sent off for alleged foul and abusive language in their Old Vic Cup semi-final mauling by Vale Rec. Wing Kin Lai, Max Dyer and Alex Herpe all received their marching orders from referee Geoff Greening.

Youth One coach Liam Davey confirmed that the matter is being dealt with internally at the club.

It is the latest controversy that has dogged the Youth One side after the controversial abandonment of their match against Vale Rec in November, when red cards and injuries left them with just six players on the pitch.

Players sent off in that game have already been punished by the GFA and been disciplined by the club, confirmed Davey yesterday.

Club president Henry Davey said last night that Saints are dealing closely with GFA officials following the weekend's incidents.

He confirmed that they will announce any decisions made in due course.

They plan to fulfil the Youth One fixture with Rangers tonight.

After the three red cards on Sunday, Vale Rec emerged 10-2 winners, with James Bougourd netting four times and a hat-trick by Jamie Gauvain with Rory Moriarty, Daena Bodie and Tom de Garis also on the scoresheet.

Sam Hunkin and William Konken replied for Saints who had pulled the score back to 3-2 with 10 men before the game went pear-shaped for them.

'The match officials did nothing wrong and it left everybody in a very awkward position,' said Vale Rec assistant coach Phil Corbet.

He hopes the improvement the players are showing continues.

'The club wants to bring the lads through into senior football and they are being given the opportunity and we are seeing improvements all over, both individually and collectively,' he said.

It will be Sylvans and Vale Rec who contest the Old Vic final.

The westerners most recently won it in the 1999-2000 season and the most recent time the Corbet Field club secured it was 1996-97.

Sylvans beat North 3-2 after extra time in a game that was a cracking advert for youth football.

Referee Tony Sarre was praised for allowing the match to flow.

With the wind at their backs North were the dominant force in the first half and led 2-1 at the break through goals from Jack Domaille and Aaron Lamb.

Their goals were sandwiched by a close-range Josh Gallienne effort after Wayne Bishop's shot had been parried.

'We were quite happy to go in a goal down because of the conditions,' said Sylvans Youth One coach Clive Bateman.

After a few tactical changes Sylvans had the majority of the second half play but did not create enough in the final third at times given their possession.

Substitute Chris Le Gallez set up their equaliser as he crossed to Jamie Le Cheminant at the far post, who headed home across the goalkeeper.

Sylvans could have snatched it in normal time but twice rattled the woodwork.

Their extra-time winner came from skipper Brady Lesbirel, who headed in Le Cheminant's corner.

Bateman and his assistant, Tony Tostevin, were delighted to reach the final.

'It keeps the lads' concentration going and gives us something else to aim for apart from the league,' said Bateman.

Sylvans' next tough test comes on Sunday when they face Bels in the league at St Peter's.