North need derby win to keep pressure on leaders

A win for the Corbet Field side would all but end North’s hopes of lifting the Priaulx Cup this season, as table-toppers Rovers inched closer to securing the title on Friday with a convincing win over Bels.

Romeril’s team come into the fixture off the back of a 2-2 draw away at Sylvans, as they were saved by a Joe Blackham equaliser deep into stoppage time.

Mike Garnett’s Sylvans went 2-0 up in the first half, with James Ravenscroft and George Montgomery both on target, the latter getting his first goal in the Priaulx.

Tiago Rodrigues halted the home team’s momentum at the end of the first period, before Blackham eventually got the leveller moments before the final whistle.

‘It was a frustrating afternoon for us in all honesty, I felt that we were poor off the ball but created a host of opportunities that we did not take,’ said the Rec gaffer.

‘The reality of football is that if you do not take your chances you will get punished.

‘The good thing is that we never gave up and managed to get an equaliser from a set-piece routine that we have worked on at training, which is very pleasing.

‘It is definitely a bit of a missed opportunity but we have to put things into perspective.

‘We have had a fantastic season and now we just want to finish it well.’

Jose Alvarez’s North team have come out victorious in both of the league games between the two sides this season, winning 7-0 at Northfield earlier on in the campaign before coming from behind to win to 2-1 at the Corbet Field last month.

They also come into tonight’s match off the back of a win at the weekend, as they edged past Chris Tardif’s Rangers with a 1-0 victory thanks to Luke Mollet’s first-half effort.

‘As always, North will present us with a very tough challenge,’ said Romeril, as his team prepare to welcome the chocolate-and-blues to the Corbet Field once again.

‘We will not really give any consideration to anything in regards to the Priaulx League title race, we remain solely focused on what we can do, it’s as simple as that.

‘Neither team has anything to lose so we may as well go for it and try to enjoy it.’

A win for North will put them five points behind league-leaders Rovers with a game in hand, but Kevin Gillease’s side only need two more wins to secure this year’s title.

Reigning champions St Martin’s got back to winning ways at the weekend, as they recovered after going a goal down to beat Alderney 2-1 at Blanche Pierre Lane.

Jake Lowe was on target again for Jason Leaman’s team as he scored from the penalty spot, before Rory Moriarty headed home to give Saints all three points.

‘It was an important victory for us on Saturday – we were made to work hard for it and I think a few of the decisions went against us making it even more difficult, but it was great to see the lads show such character against an Alderney team who played very well,’ said Saints coach Leaman.

‘On another day we could have got a few more goals for sure and there were some good individual performances from the boys.

‘The plan for us now is to just take every single game as it comes.’

Up next for St Martin’s is an FA Cup clash against Sylvans tomorrow night, with the last spot in the semi-finals of this year’s competition up for grabs.

‘We’re expecting an extremely difficult game, there is a lot to play for and it’s always tough playing against Sylvans,’ said Leaman.

‘We are hoping to have most of the squad back together for the game as we have been missing quite a few recently.

‘I am going to need the lads to be up for it tomorrow and ready for a game like this.’

FIXTURES (subject to change)

Today: FNB Priaulx League – Vale Rec v North, Corbet Field, 7.30pm.

Tomorrow: Offshore Commercial Guernsey FA Cup quarter-final – St Martin’s v Sylvans, Blanche Pierre Lane, 7.30pm.