Vale Rec head coach Mark Romeril said a win against Grouville on Saturday afternoon was just what his side required and that their positive result was backed up with a positive performance.
‘It was really good, we know where we are and we were kind of at the point where we just needed a win, and to do it against the Jersey champions was just brilliant,’ he said.
‘We deserved to win, we were unlucky with the goals we conceded, but I would say in the second half it really was one-way traffic.’
With Marlon Jardim scoring an equaliser right at the end of the regulation 90 after Harrison Moon had given Grouville a first-half lead, extra-time was required.
Tyrese Kelly put Rec ahead for the first time in the extra half-hour before Grouville hit straight back through Andre Nunes.
The game ended 2-2, so it went to a shoot-out and it was Pearce Le Poidevin’s penalty that ended up being the difference between the two sides as Rec edged it 2-1.
‘It was possibly the worst shoot-out I have ever seen, they missed four and we missed three, but Jason Martin made an unbelievable save and Pearce scored the penalty that got us through. It has been a massive boost,’ said Romeril.
Romeril added that it was a great team performance from his side.
‘It was a 14-man effort really, we had four 16-year-olds playing, a really young side, so it was brilliant. It really has given us a boost.’
Vale Rec will be looking to take the confidence gained from their Wheway Cup progression into tonight’s Priaulx League game against Sylvans should the weather allow.
‘We’ll hope it’s on – I have 20 odd players wanting to play now,’ said Romeril.
‘The league is what it is now. It’s not our priority, we are focusing on other competitions, but we are looking forward to the game. We may have to manage minutes for those who played the two hours on Saturday, but it gives opportunities to others.’
St Martin’s will be looking to get back to winning ways tonight after their 2-1 loss to St Paul’s at Springfield at the weekend.
‘It was a tough game, they were a good, young side, and we could have played better in spells, there were a few chances that we didn’t take. The difference was not much, they just got the goals this time,’ said St Martin’s head coach Ben Hunter.
Saints’ goal came from Glenn Le Tissier.
St Martin’s are due to host Rovers tonight in the Priaulx League.
‘It’s great to have another league match, we haven’t had one in a while, but against Rovers we know we will have to be on our A game,’ said Hunter.
Hunter is expecting to have a full squad available tonight apart from Simon Geall.
‘He picked up a niggle on Saturday so he is a doubt at the minute.’
Tonight’s Priaulx League games, Vale Rec against Sylvans at the Corbet Field and St Martin’s versus Rovers at Blanche Pierre Lane, both kick off at 7.30pm, pitches and weather permitting.
