Culkin retort

SIMON TOSTEVIN’S claims that North have the best front line in the Channel Islands have got up the nose of St Paul’s boss Craig Culkin.

The big North striker said yesterday that the combination of himself, Craig Young and Glyn Dyer, is the best in the two islands ahead of their clash with the Jersey champions St Paul’s in the Upton at Springfield this afternoon.

‘All I can say to that is it’s down to them to prove that,’ said Culkin (pictured). ‘If that is the case it should be a game of goals because our strikers [Craig Russell and Craig Leitch] are also on form and have scored a lot of goals this season. And our defenders, Stuart André, Scott Devlin and James Queree are also all on form.

‘But proving who is the best in the Channel Islands is what an Upton is all about so it should be an exciting and entertaining match for the spectators.’

And Culkin is not concerned that North coach Mick Le Prevost went on a scouting mission earlier on in the week to watch St Paul’s play in the league playoff, that they won over Trinity.

‘We are not interested if people have seen us play before,’ he said.

‘That doesn’t worry us in the slightest. We just concentrate on what we are doing.

‘We have only lost two games in all competitions this season which by anyone’s record is very good. What pleases me is the way we have bounced back from those defeats.

‘The Upton is just as big as the league for us this season. It’s massive.’

St Paul’s recorded a 5-0 win over North earlier this season in the Wheway, but the Saints will not be resting on their laurels.

‘We have already played them once this year but I am led to believe that they had a number of players out,’ said Culkin.

‘I know that this time it’s not going to be a 5-0 scoreline and I expect a very tough match.’

Meanwhile North are planning to start with 18-year-old midfielder Scott Bougourd at right back.

Bougourd will have fellow teenager Matt Loaring play in front of him at right midfield.

‘That’s the kind of coach I am,’ said Le Prevost.

‘Scott can play anywhere to be fair. I could play him at centre back.

‘It’s a big game for them both [Bougourd and Loaring] but they won’t let themselves down. I’ve got a lot of confidence in the kids and the whole squad.

‘Hopefully we can go there and get the result.’

Kick-off is at 2pm.

Article posted on 18th April, 2009 - 2.29pm