Melrose bags brace to help Sylvans make ideal start

De Garis’ side have been drawn in Group C of the competition alongside Manzur and Belgrave Wanderers and a Euan Melrose brace helped them claim a 4-2 victory over the latter in their tournament opener, much to the delight of the boss.

‘We were in control for large moments of the game and played really well against a very experienced Bels side.

‘I thought Harvey Lihou stood out in the middle of the park, but overall it was a good all-round performance from everyone,’ he added.

Melrose was the first to net for Sylvans on the night as he struck after 23 minutes, before Stu Simon’s side equalised via a Brent Marquand header from Stuart Roussel’s right-wing cross.

Bels were not level for long, though, as 16-year-old Tim Ap Sion slotted home on the stroke of half-time to give Sylvans the lead going into the break.

Bels got themselves back into the game 12 minutes into the second half as Corey Robilliard scored to make it 2-2, before goals from Tiago Rodrigues, who converted James Ravenscroft’s superb volleyed cross, and Melrose, who fired a 25-yard free-kick into the roof of the net, meant De Garis’ side would start their Stranger campaign with a win.

‘Euan gives 100% every game. He works really hard for the team defensively and also in attack,’ said the Sylvans boss following the game.

‘His all-round game has improved a hell of a lot and his overall work rate is immense,’ he added.

‘We’ve got to carry on playing well and see how far we can go.’

On Saturday, Vale Rec returned to action after triumphing in the Grand Fort Road derby as they visited Port Soif in the FNB Priaulx League.

Craig Tyrrell’s side came into the game in good form after two strong performances in the previous week, as they claimed a 2-2 draw at St Peter’s last Saturday before the 2-1 win over North, and a Paul Smith equaliser at the Soif meant Rec kept up their unbeaten 2022 record with a 1-1 draw.

‘We kept our shape, we kept our discipline, Paul Smith and Damien Larkin especially were really good at the back,’ Tyrrell said.

‘Simon Shaw deserves a mention, too. He’s come back for the last three games and adds a bit of experience and a bit of bite. I think he’s done really well.’

Tyrrell was keen to single out keeper Luke Le Tissier above all, though, whose late heroics were crucial in Rec’s triumph against North.

‘They piled the pressure on in the last 20 minutes, bombarding us in the box, but Luke Le Tissier was really good in goal and deserves a lot of credit. He was probably man of the match in the end.

‘On our day we can beat anyone and the lads realise that now I think – for example, we’re still the only team to take points off Saints so far this season,’ added the Rec boss.

‘We needed a win because we hadn’t won in a while. A draw at Sylvans, a win at North and a draw at Rovers gives us five points from three tough away games. That’s something we can build on.’

Rec stay seventh in the Priaulx League table despite their recent form on the road, but Tyrrell said that the cup competitions is where his side could thrive in the business end of the campaign.

‘We’re still in three cups, so it’s all about building confidence and hopefully we’ll get some silverware at the end of the season,’ he said.

Also on Saturday in the Priaulx League, Joe Blackham scored a hat-trick as Alderney beat Rangers 8-0.

• Bels return to Priaulx League action on Tuesday night when they host Rovers at the Track, 7.30pm kick-off.