‘We could have let season fizzle out’ says proud North boss
THERE was another twist in the FNB Priaulx League title race on Saturday as North inflicted defeat on the leaders in the Grand Fort Road derby.
But despite having beaten both of the top two sides in the space of a week, Jose Alvarez laughed off suggestions of his side being genuine contenders – for now at least.
‘If we arrive with three games to finish the league within two or three points, then I’d say yes,’ said the North coach after their 3-0 win over Vale Rec on Saturday.
‘At the moment, we’re just in a good place. We’ve been in a very dark place for a while and all my admiration to the guys for sticking to it – they clawed themselves out of it.
‘It would have been very easy to feel sorry for yourself and let the season fizzle out. They haven’t done that and I’m very proud of them.’
Keene Domaille gave North the lead from the penalty spot and Jack Medhurst doubled their advantage with virtually the last kick of the first half.
After absorbing some pressure from Rec in the second half, North clinched the three points with Luke Mollet’s 88th minute breakaway goal.
‘I thought it was a typical derby game – no pretty football, but I thought we deal really well with the conditions against a very strong team,’ Alvarez said.
‘Vale Rec are a very strong team physically and I thought that we deal with it really well, especially the young kids, and I’m really delighted with that.’
Rec’s lead is now four points over Rovers, who have played a game more, and six points on North. Both Grand Fort Road teams have five games remaining.
