Hail, hail a second Hale arrives at Saints
THE squad strength of St Martin’s was there for all to see as they turned over Rovers in the Stranger Cup on Saturday and it has been increased by the return to island football of defender Sam Hale.
Those with good memories might recall Old Elizabethan Hale was once a very talented North youth player before heading off to university.
Tomorrow he returns to Northfield, but as a Saint, and coach Leon Meakin is pleased to have him for the remainder of the season.
‘He contacted us at the start of January and said he was here for the rest of the season. He was in the same [North] youth team as our Louis Hunter, Charlie Le Prevost and Danny Hale and he’s an excellent player, very good on the ball,’ said Meakin ahead of a game which could see his men go eight points clear at the top of the table with a win.
Sam Hale played most of the second half against Rovers, a game which saw the resilience, organisation and team nous get them past arguably their main title rivals, albeit in a cup with a drawn-out qualifying phase.
Rovers, no doubt, will come again in the Stranger, but Meakin felt his side were very good value for the 3-1 success which puts them in good heart for the North game.
‘I was really happy with the performance and intensity we showed. The competition for places makes everybody lift their performances.’
Meakin juggled his line-up against Rovers and will, if he chooses, be able to add to the group tomorrow.
Back into contention come the three U18s who are playing for Colin Fallaize’s island U18s in the Stranger and the coach does not rule out returns for Louis Hunter (ankle), Jason Martin (broken toe), Danny Hale (hamstring) and Dale Garland (work-tied at the weekend).
‘We’ve got a big squad and are able to cope with the number of fixtures we have. We want to continue the momentum we had before Christmas,’ added Meakin, while respectful of North’s qualities.
The Stranger Cup holders have added GFC man Keanu Marsh to their squad since the two sides last played and while they have nowhere near the depth of Saints, a fact borne out by their Lancaster One default to Rovers last week, their first XI is very strong.
‘On paper, they are as strong as anybody – we’ve got a lot of respect for them,’ said Meakin.
Bels and the Island U18s meet in the Stranger Cup at KGV 3G this evening, 8pm kick-off.
