Fallaize and Smeed to stay for whole season
SYLVANS will be able to keep their young title-challenging squad together for the entire season after confirmation that Jacob Fallaize and Seb Smeed will not be heading back to their US college courses any time soon.
For a while the students had harboured hopes of going back across the Atlantic in January, but they have now had confirmation that school’s out for the pair until deep into 2021.
‘It’s a massive boost for us,’ said Sylvans’ coach Martyn de Garis.
‘Everybody here is happy that they are going to be here for the rest of season and possibly into next.
‘They are going to take a year out I understand,’ he added.
Sylvans are heavily reliant on the pair who have been key as the Westerners went on an unbroken run of 12 matches without defeat.
‘They bring a lot to our side. Take two of our spine out and it would leave a big hole,’ de Garis said.
The form of Smeed and, in particular, centre-back Fallaize has thrust them into Muratti contention if Covid restrictions relent and the biggest single annual game in the Channel Islands can go ahead in the spring.
Fallaize, son of former Muratti striker Colin, has proved to be a towering and calm presence at the heart of Sylvans’ trademark back three, while after some early season injury problems Smeed has been one of the best central midfielders around with his sweet left-foot and play-making from centre-midfield.
LAST night’s scheduled FNB Priaulx League clash between Northerners and St Martin’s at Northfield was postponed.
