This Is Guernsey

Bels celebrate their second Upton win in three seasons and fourth overall. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0565820)

MICKY OGIER’S mind games worked a treat as Bels beat St Paul’s in the Upton at the Track on Saturday.

The Bels coach had watched the Jersey champions play the week before and had gone on record as saying that they were going to be favourites.

But after the Priaulx champions had taken a comfortable 2-0 victory over a poor St Paul’s side, Ogier admitted that he had been using some ‘kidology’. ‘I used a bit of Alex Ferguson,’ joked Ogier, referring to the Manchester United manager.

‘I thought there was no way that they were favourites. They’ve got four players who could change the game. They weren’t impressive today.’impressive today.’

The result comes on the back of a disappointing few weeks for Bels.

Since claiming the Priaulx in early March they have lost twice to  North, once in the Jeremie Cup semi-finals and the other time in the final of the Fletchersports Guernsey FA Cup.

‘It’s been disappointing the last month,’ said Ogier.

‘But full credit to the boys, they’ve lifted themselves. They’ve made Guernsey proud and they’ve made Bels proud.’

After dominating the proceedings, the home side took the lead on the stroke of half-time through a Dave Rihoy header.

The second goal came courtesy of substitute Paul Ramsden on the hour mark.

The man of the match deservedly went to Bels’ Matt Drillot.

‘We thoroughly deserved the game and we were the better side throughout,’ said Bels captain Leighton Chainey.

‘Everyone worked their socks off, especially Matt Drillot. He deserved his man of the match. We wanted it more.’

St Paul’s coach Craig Culkin also thought that Bels deserved to win.

‘No complaints, the best side won – they deserved it,’ he said.

‘They looked hungrier and they were sharper. It looked like we were still celebrating our league win.’

In yesterday’s women’s ‘Upton’  at Blanche Pierre Lane, First Tower impressively took apart St Martin’s to win 5-0.