Forgotten club return as Rec host Saints

Or should we say, were.

It is incredible to think that Craig Tyrrell’s side are now into the 20th week since they held league leaders Rovers to a 1-1 draw at the Corbet Field.

That was 14 November and just before that they had sent Belgraves packing 4-0.

But through a combination of a wet Corbet Field and Covid, Tyrrell’s men find themselves with 13 league games to play, plus a Stranger Cup campaign.

They say yellow is the colour of spring so perhaps this is Vale’s time to shine.

As they prepare to welcome St Martin’s to the Corbet tonight, striker Glenn Le Tissier accepts there may be a touch of rust about their performance, although they are likely to have Guernsey FC man Seb Skillen back to help him in attack and Damien Larkin is also fit to return to the defence.

‘It’s pretty much a new season [for us],’ acknowledged Le Tissier.

‘We’re looking forward to it. Hopefully, we can cause some title upsets and have a run in the Stranger Cup.

‘We are feeling good, ready to go and champing at the bit.’

One man, though, who won’t be there is defender Naro Zimmerman, who has moved to Dubai for work.

Vale’s most recent game was a 3-0 Guernsey FA Cup loss to Saints on the KGV 3G back on 5 December and no side has played fewer games this campaign than the yellows, who could also claim to be the unluckiest, with a series of single-goal losses.

St Martin’s should be all the sharper for two games last week and a win tonight will lift them above Sylvans into second place, within four points of Rovers with three games in hand.

Coach Leon Meakin has long said his team thrive on regular games.

‘All these games will be a blessing, I hope, rather than a hindrance,’ he said yesterday while reporting that other than the injured Joe Blackham, his squad will be much the same as it was in winning at Northerners on Saturday.

Young Harry Tough is close to a return after getting 15min. and a goal for the reserves in a 6-0 win over Manzur 2nds on Monday night, as is Island captain Jamie Dodd. He is due to resume training later this week.

Don’t bet against him appearing against Rovers on Saturday.

Simon Geall remains on the long-term injury list but one youngster pressing hard for a chance is Callum Scott, the brother of new England U18 cap Alex.

‘He has been excellent in the post-lockdown period,’ said Meakin, who added that Zac Chatterton is also pressing hard for a chance.

Kick-off tonight is 7.30.