This Is Guernsey

Bels 4, St Martin’s 2

THE punters certainly got their money’s worth last night at the Track. Most left somewhat amazed by what they had seen in an extraordinary clash between two of this season’s title contenders, but for the neutral it was great entertainment that they will talk about for a long time to come.

A game of six splendid goals and a missed penalty unfortunately looked set to end on a sour note due to the clash between Bels’ Scott Bradford and Ben Coulter.

The Bels player felt aggrieved not to have been awarded a free kick in the 81st minute when his former teammate came in with a hard challenge.

As is so often the case, within a couple of seconds the ball was at Coulter’s feet and Bradford went in with a nasty tackle of his own in retribution.

The Saints man was soon on his feet confronting his assailant and hands were raised by both with blows traded, although none landed properly.

Others arrived in an attempt to separate the pair and the scene was chaotic for a while.

No one wants to see players sent off, but it seemed that Colin Gontier had little choice but to take action against Bradford and Coulter. However, the referee limited it to a dressing down and the order of a handshake.

A couple of spectators saw his attitude as refreshing in its way, but those involved with other Priaulx clubs felt the punishment obviously did not fit the crime and the two players should have been facing suspensions.

It was a shame that Bradford was so heavily involved in that incident as he enjoyed a fine game otherwise and scored a peach of an opening goal on 11min.

The midfielder made a tricky opportunity look easy when, from all of 40 yards, he side footed home a first-time shot after Nathan Pattimore had rushed from his area to try and clear a bouncing through ball and only succeeded in finding the Belgrave.

Pattimore atoned for that error with a brilliant save to deny Joby Bourgaize from the penalty spot after Richard Herpe had barged into Bradford but Matt Drillot made it two moments before the break with a spectacular 35-yard piledriver.

The big man’s strike flew into the net still on the rise.

Pacy American Mark Laws made it three on the hour-mark with Pattimore again unable to clear properly under pressure.

Saints were seemingly dead and buried so they threw caution to the wind and introduced Nick Edmunds and Matt Palmer to the action, going with three up top.

The changes soon paid dividends as Charlie Pinsard, who was far from 100% fit, flicked home Chris Mauger’s free kick and Palmer hooked in a second three minutes later.

It was suddenly frantic end-to-end stuff, but the decisive blow came in the 78th minute when Neil Clegg and Bradford worked an opening for Simon Marley, who took his time before slotting home a low drive.

‘When it’s 3-1, the next goal is pressure and, sure enough, in it goes for them,’ said Bels coach Micky Ogier.

‘But fair play to the boys, they battled and got the fourth goal. That knocked the stuffing out of Saints.

‘We scored some nice goals and all the team played well.’