Grand Fort Road derby clash big for both sides

The two teams have already met three times so far this campaign, with Alvarez’s team coming out on top in the first two games before Vale Rec responded earlier this month to win their Stranger Cup semi-final on penalties.

‘It is going to be the same as every time we play against Vale Rec – it will be a very close game and they will make it very difficult for us,’ said the North head coach.

‘They have quite a few dangermen in their team – they have so many players going forward that can cause us issues. Last time we played them Louis Travis caused us a load of problems, and then they have Jacob Masterton-Pipet who’s had a very good season, Marlon Jardim, Glenn Le Tissier, Seb Skillen.

‘Our team is always confident, though, we always believe in our abilities and everybody is so strong mentally.

‘Beating St Martin’s in that fashion last week was massive for us, I am so proud of all of the players.

‘We felt as if we were in control in the first half so to go in 2-1 down at the break was a hard one to take.

‘The attitude of all of the lads after the restart was outstanding, they have a never-say-die attitude and it showed.

‘I could not have asked for a better response from us and we totally deserved the win.’

A win for North against their Grand Fort Road rivals would keep the pressure on table-toppers Rovers, with the gap currently standing at five points.

Alvarez’s men have still played a game less than Kevin Gillease’s team, but they still need Rovers to drop points again in the league at some point if they are going to leapfrog them in the table.

A win for Rec could see them go above St Martin’s in the table should Jason Leaman’s team lose this weekend, and would put them just two points behind North, with a game in hand on them.

‘As always we are all looking forward to the game, it is a huge one for North with them contending for the title, so they really need to win,’ said Vale coach Mark Romeril.

‘We have started this five-game period of only playing against North and Rovers really well, winning the first two.

‘The boys have been absolutely fantastic and they continue to do everything they can to be the best that they can be.

‘We do not know exactly who will be playing for North on the day, but if Kyle Smith is there he will be the man that needs stopping.’

The Corbet Field side have been victorious in five of their six games so far in 2023, and have won both of their league games since the Christmas break.

Elsewhere this weekend, Rangers will be looking to continue their impressive recent league form as they welcome St Martin’s to the KGV.

Chris Tardif’s men won back-to-back games against Alderney earlier this month and most recently secured a point against Belgrave Wanderers.

‘We are really looking forward to this game, but we know that it will be a tough challenge – Saints are a formidable force but we are going to go in with full confidence,’ said Tardif.

‘They are well organised, experienced all over the pitch and they will never give in, so it is up to us to turn up and deliver a good performance.

‘After last weekend’s game against Bels we took a little time to reflect and we think that we could have got a win from that as we had some great chances in the second half.

‘I would have snapped your arm off to get a 1-1 draw against them at the start of the season, so to come away frustrated with the result is a great marker for where we are.

‘There has been such a good improvement so we are really pleased, but we still want to get better as a group and as individuals.

‘We have to push ourselves before the end of the season. We have given the lads a new aim to go for, which we will keep within the group, but it is up to them now to see if they can achieve it.’

Saints will be looking to recover from a defeat against North last weekend and could end the weekend level on points with the chocolate-and-blues, depending on the result in the derby.

In tonight’s Priaulx League fixture, Sylvans will be looking to make it back-to-back victories after their win against Alderney last weekend.

They will be making the trip to the Track to play against Bels, who are winless in their last six games in all competitions.

Alderney also return to home action in this round of fixtures, as they welcome leaders Rovers to the Arsenal Ground tomorrow afternoon.

FNB Priaulx League fixtures

Today – Bels v Sylvans, Track, 7.30pm.

Tomorrow – Alderney Nomads v Rovers, Mount Hale, 1pm; Rangers v St Martin’s, KGV, 2pm; Vale Rec v North, Corbet Field, 2pm.