LISTEN: Grand Fort pair keep the heat on the leaders

Mark Romeril’s Rec responded to their 5-0 defeat against Kevin Gillease’s Rovers on Saturday, staying above their closest rivals in table with a 3-0 victory.

Sammy Goddard was first to score for the home side as he headed home from a set-piece, before Jacob Masterton-Pipet struck twice to ensure all three points.

‘We found it tough to get going, they set up very defensively and were hard to break down,’ said Romeril.

‘They got a red card early on and after that it was damage limitation for them which made it even more difficult.

‘They defended resolutely, but after we scored a couple we were comfortable.

‘It is a good three points, it was important for us to get the win.

‘We have had some really good days so far this season and the odd really bad day, it is just part of the process and we have already shown that a poor performance does not really affect us.

‘There is no question mark over how we respond to setbacks.

‘Sammy Goddard has been excellent this season and scored a nice goal from a set-piece, which is something we like to work on, and Gaz Holden definitely deserves a mention for how he played.

‘Jacob Masterton-Pipet was a class above everyone, though, he absolutely ran that pitch on Saturday.’

North made it six wins from their first eight on Friday evening, as they got revenge on Bels with a 2-0 win at the Track.

Danny Cooley and Keene Domaille both struck in the second half for the visitors, although coach Jose Alvarez was also keen to highlight Leroi Riley’s display in goal, saying that he had been ‘busier than he had been all season’ for a period.

‘I am very glad that we managed to get the result,’ he said.

‘I was not expecting the game to go ahead, so credit to the groundsman at Bels as the pitch looked much better than I thought it would.

‘We knew that Bels would make it very difficult for us, they defended deep in numbers in the first half, we had a lot of the ball but our movement up front was not good enough.

‘They were also dangerous on the counter and had a number of chances.

‘The second half was much better, we took control of the game, we trusted each other and improved our movement in the last third and got our goals.

‘Reece made some good saves for them in their goal, but Keene took his goal well at the end and it was nice for Danny to score as he’s been excellent all season.’

Vale Rec and North meet for the second time in the Priaulx League this season on Saturday at the Corbet Field.