On a mission to join North in quarter-finals
BELS boss Chris Le Friec says he wants his team to build momentum as they prepare for tonight’s Jeremie Cup game against Sylvans at the Track.
They got off to a winning start in the Priaulx League last Saturday, beating visitors Alderney 2-0, but the head coach admitted he had mixed feelings about the performance.
‘We were very pleased to get three points and in the first half we played extremely well, but I was not happy with the second half at all,’ Le Friec said.
‘Early on we controlled the ball, we had chances and Zico [Ryan-Zico Black] produced two moments of magic to give us a 2-0 lead.
‘They changed something at half-time and it did not happen for us after that at all, and in all honesty I am more annoyed about the second half than I am pleased about the first.
‘We have had the boys in twice this week and worked them really hard, and now we’re firmly focused on beating Sylvans.
‘I love a Friday night game under the lights, it has always excited me as a player and now as a coach.
‘We do not know too much about Sylvans. I saw them in the Rawlinson and they were not at their best, but they did well against Rovers last week, especially early on.
‘They are definitely not to be disregarded in any shape or form, but we see this one as winnable for sure.’
Elsewhere tonight in the Jeremie Cup, St Martin’s welcome Rovers to Blanche Pierre Lane as they look to respond from an opening day defeat against North.
Rovers got their title defence off to a winning start, coming back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against Sylvans.
‘We made it hard for ourselves – we were a bit all over the place for the first 45 minutes and Sylvans punished us,’ said Rovers coach Kevin Gillease
‘We got one back and then from there we were a completely different team, and when it was 2-2 it only looked like going one way.
‘Coming back to win against North in the Martinez and then Sylvans on Saturday just shows that we are in a good place in terms of fitness levels.
‘Saints is a very tough draw in the Jeremie, but it should be a good game and it will serve as a good indicator of where both teams are at right now.
‘It’s a nice big pitch, the surface will be good, and it’s always good playing a Friday night game, I am definitely a fan of them.
‘Our aim is to make an impression on Channel Islands competitions – we have been in them a lot but never really done much.
‘This year we want to go for it, and we definitely have a squad capable of challenging on all fronts.
‘Getting the win on Friday to get to the next round is what we’re all fully focused on right now, though.
‘We’re in good shape as a squad – it is almost the same as last week’s but with the addition of Max Simpson-Cohen, too.’
North have already booked their place in the next round of the Jeremie Cup as they recovered from going 2-0 behind to see off Rangers in the last minute on Tuesday. The chocolate-and-blues host Alderney in the FNB Priaulx League tomorrow.
Vale Rec head to St Peter’s tomorrow to play Rocquaine Pirates in the final Jeremie Cup first-round tie.
Weekend fixtures
Jeremie Cup
Tonight (7.30pm) – St Martin’s v Rovers, BPL; Belgrave Wanderers v Sylvans, Track.
Tomorrow (2pm) – Rocquaine Pirates v Vale Rec, St Peter’s.
FNB Priaulx League
Tomorrow (2pm) – Northerners v Alderney Nomads, Northfield.
