North back to where it started so well
NINE and a half months ago they landed the Doric Rawlinson Cup to herald a promising start to what they hoped would be a trophy-laden campaign.
Tonight North head back to The Track and a Stranger Cup final, desperate for salvation.
When in August 2017 two first-half North strikes did for Manzur in the final of the now traditional pre-season tournament, everything pointed to a highly successful season for William Woodford’s men.
They were many people’s favourites for the league, but as things panned out they had to settle for third in the table as a host of players, including the likes of Tom Martin and Sam McKenzie who played in the Rawlinson final, dropped away.
Craig Mollet, who subsequently became seriously ill and missed much of the season, scored that night, while Nigel Hutton, Will Wakeham, Ricky Moore and Harry Tobin, who all played in the Rawlinson run, have fallen by the wayside for whatever reason.
A lack of player consistency and numbers has certainly cost them dear, while in contrast Rovers have excelled in both those areas and regardless of tonight’s result a second straight FNB Priaulx League championship has lit up their season.
The Track has not been a particularly happy hunting ground for Jez Robin’s Rovers lately though.
Twice in May they have lost there – the Upton and the FA Cup final – while they were somewhat lucky to win the other, the 3-1 semi-final win which qualified them for tonight’s game.
Rovers may well recall experienced duo Vijay Wiltshire and Ryan Tippett for tonight’s 7.30 kick off, but otherwise their side is likely to look similar to the one that lost to Vale Rec last Wednesday. Sam Hall, Kez Mahon and Glyn Dyer are definitely out, while defender Louis Falla is a big doubt for a Rovers team who have yet to win the Stranger since their elevation to the senior ranks in 1974.
North, winners in 2014, will surely fancy their chances.
