Marsh strikes late to win the Grand Fort Road derby
THEY often say that a sign of a title winning side is to win when you are poor.
North were just that at the Corbet Field and won all three points on opening day thanks to a 90th minute winner from their skipper River Marsh.
Meanwhile, in the higher parishes, Sylvans impressed in beating Manzur 2-0 and Bels beat Rangers 5-2 at St Andrew’s.
The wins for Bels and North were fairly predictable, but Jose Alvarez, the new North coach, will surely know his men cannot play like they did on Saturday too often and get away with it.
This was a lucky escape and the neutral had to feel for Vale who worked hard and deserved a point, at least on a lush surface that seems a big improvement on last season’s bumpy pitch.
From pitch side the new sward played a whole lot better, albeit overly long, but the hard work of the club faithful could not be repaid by the result.
That said the new coach, Craig Tyrrell, who may have been following progress from the other side of the Atlantic where he is on holiday, should be consoled by the spirit and effort shown, as well as the excellence of centre back Christian De Carteret and midfielder Ed Mason, although as uni students they won’t be around for too much longer.
Marsh scored his side's first and last goals in their 3-2 win, with Joe Alvarez netting the other. Glenn Le Tissier twice equalised for Vale Rec.
More in Monday's Guernsey Press.
