IF RAW, youthful talent was the sole recipe for success, next April Belgraves might well be holding aloft the Priaulx League Trophy for the first time in 46 years. Ray Queripel, their coach and something of a youth prodigy himself back in his Sylvans days, is certainly aiming for the top and will tell his players they can bring the old trophy back to the Track for the first time since the days of Les Collins and Vince Tostevin.
‘I will be disappointed if we were not pushing for it. I will be disappointed if we are not there or thereabouts. . . certainly top three,’ is his naturally-biased assessment.
But he might not be wide of the mark.
After all, the team has so much going for it with a pair of strikers who are as deadly in front of goal as anyone locally, pace and creativity in the form of Joby Bourgaize and Simon Marley, a ball-winner in Sam Cochrane and real power in the air when Irishman Paul O’Neill is available.
But can Bels realistically jump from fifth to first in 12 months on the back of one decent acquisition - under-18 island player Brent Marquand - and a new goalkeeper, Leigh Taylor, from Port City? Probably not is the answer.
Bels may well push for a top-three spot and be good for a cup win or two, but their lack of experience and tactical nous on and off the pitch may well be a drawback.
At times last season they were electric.
Then there were the days when they appeared clueless, most notably when pitted against St Martin’s, the expert stiflers.
Bels lost all six of their meetings with Saints and in three of those games were clobbered, twice 6-1, once 5-1.
Their coach reports that the team will be fitter than ever and the youngsters fresher for not having to double up with Youth One games.
‘Bud [Micky Ogier] has been taking the pre-season and the fitness level is high.
‘He’s got them running on the paths and beaches in Herm. They’ve worked really hard and I’ve cringed watching them,’ said the coach.
‘With the lads being so young [last year], we were a 70min. side. But we need them to run for 90. The skill is there.’
Queripel is looking forward to getting a full season from his young Irish striker, Darragh Duffy, who made a strong impression in the closing months alongside top scorer Marc McGrath.
He also has striking options in Liam Davey and new signing Dale Webb and, if needed, O’Neill can be pushed forward to add aerial power.
‘On paper we have a very good squad and the big bonus is that the boys haven’t got to play junior football as well this time.
‘I think we are looking pretty good all-round.’
The signing of Marquand is an interesting one.
Denied a transfer from St Martin’s last season, he finally made his move in the transfer window.
Queripel initially intended to pair him with Leighton Chainey in central defence, but the coach has had second thoughts and said the double Junior Muratti cap may be used in midfield.
Craig Cameron’s move from North gives another option in midfield, but it is in defence and in goal that they need to improve to make a serious title bid.
Fifty goals conceded in 24 league games is plainly not good enough.
Initially, Taylor and Jim de Garis will contest the keeper’s jersey but Rhys Gower is expected to return before the end of September to make it a three-way fight.
As a neutral, I’d prefer to see Mick Leigh on his way back.
Article posted on 11th August, 2004 - 12.00am
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