Nervous Sylvans blow chance

Sylvans 1, Vale Rec 3

HAVE Sylvans blown their big chance of a long-awaited return to the Wheway Cup?

Quite possibly, after this disappointing home defeat which, given the two sides' respective form, most did not see coming – even the Vale Rec troupe of diehards who had a pleasant surprise in the murk of St Peter's on Saturday afternoon.

Knowing a win coupled with a slip-up by Bels would ensure Sylvans of a top-three spot, the home side played with anxiety and, importantly when you have a small squad, without key men.

If playing without strikers Wayne Bishop and Euan Melrose was not bad enough, defender Greg Roland injured himself in the warm-up.