Meakin aware that another draw won’t do
ST MARTIN’S sit top of the table but they know only a win at home to the champions tonight will keep them in the FNB Priaulx League title race.
It is eight seasons since the old Priaulx trophy wore black and white ribbons and coach Leon Meakin is well aware of the importance of three points at Blanche Pierre Lane after the deflation of dropping two at St Peter’s last weekend.
‘We were bitterly disappointed to only get the draw, because we played really well in the first half and if we had taken even a fraction of our chances we’d have won the game,’ he said yesterday.
‘We were looking quite comfortable, even with 10, until that mad minute at the end.
‘It was always going to be a must-win for us and I don’t think anything changes after the Sylvans game.’
Saints have big doubts as to who will lead the line after Brent Marquand hobbled off against the westerners and young Callum Le Lacheur is not an option due to the six-day rule ahead of this weekend’s U16s Muratti at Springfield.
On the plus side, Ally Venosa is back from a holiday and Kyle Smith, who could play up top alongside Danny Hale, is available.
Rovers coach Jez Robin has selection headaches of the positive kind.
Of their full squad only Ryan-Zico Black and long-term casualty Max Robin are unavailable and Robin is toying with the idea of recalling veteran Ryan Tippett.
‘He’s played the last couple of Jackson games and looking sharp.’
Although a draw would be a positive result for the champions, Robin says his side have to go for all three.
‘There’s less pressure [on us] but it is still a big game and will have a big part to play in the season as a whole.’
Meanwhile, three players who were first-team regulars with Bels’ first team at the start of the season were on target as London House Bels hit back from 2-0 down to beat Centrals 3-2 in Lancaster Railway Two.
Todd Ogier, Billy Ogier and Maxi Roussel were all on target at The Track.
Possible starting XIs:
St Martin’s: Martin, Gallie, Le Tocq, Le Noury, Laine, Hunter, M. Renouf, O. Smith, K. Smith, Hale, Venosa.
Rovers: Addison, Falla, Strawbridge, Le Tocq, Graham, Mahon, Queripel, Hall, Canha, Fazakerley, Dyer.
