Sylvans daring to dream of first title in 15 years

SYLVANS are ahead of the chasing pack as the club looks to clinch its first Youth One league title since the 1992-93 season. But the westerners are not counting their country chickens yet and know the title race is far from over and could still go down to the wire.

They are two points clear of Vale Rec at the summit after a 4-1 win over Rovers at the weekend.

Reigning champions North are a further two points adrift, with Bels now six behind the leaders.

Despite a generally lacklustre display, Sylvans still secured three home points at St Peter's.

Josh Gallienne gave the westerners the lead and Matt Le Prevost doubled it after having returned to the game from a broken collarbone.

However, with a strong wind at their backs, Alex Masterton gave Rovers a glimmer of hope and the Sylvans management started to get edgy.

But nerves were eased when Wayne Bishop came to the rescue off the bench to net twice in five minutes shortly after his arrival on the pitch.

So how good is the current crop of youngsters?

'They are a good bunch of lads,' said senior coach Martyn de Garis, who deputised for holidaying Youth One boss Clive Bateman.

'Some of them are in the island set-up and they have a good spine throughout the side.

'They have players who have come in and done really well but nothing is done and dusted yet,' stressed de Garis.

'If they concentrate and work really hard for the rest of the season, they will get their reward.

'I think everyone in the club is rooting for them and would be delighted and we won't get a better chance,' he said.

Several of the youngsters have already broken into the Priaulx squad and the future looks bright out west if they stay loyal to the club.

Bishop and Le Prevost have both been regular fixtures, with Brady Lesbirel, Jamie Le Cheminant and goalkeeper Ashleigh Williams all making appearances for the first team and Jackson side.

The talented Le Prevost bears all the hallmarks of being a future senior island midfielder and, once fully fit after injury, he will be knocking again on the first-team door.

'It's good for us at a Priaulx level and he is a boost for the whole club,' said de Garis.