ST MARTIN’S edged out North last night in local football’s traditional curtain-raiser to add the Martinez Cup to their burgeoning trophy cabinet. The clash served as a timely reminder of the narrow margins which differentiated the two last seasons, both when they met each other and in the final league table.

At Blanche Pierre Lane last night the sides, organised and full of industry, were almost inseparable.

It was a game which looked as though either a set-piece, a moment of madness or a sublime bit of imagination would prove the difference between Priaulx League champions Saints and league runners-up North. In the end it was all three.

A mix-up in the North defence led to defenders tackling each other, goalkeeper Paul de Garis picking up the loose ball and referee Geoff Ogier awarding a back-pass.

The impressive Dominic Heaume slotted home the indirect free-kick after a clever lay-off from Alex Hunter. North coach Geoff Tardif was in philosophical mood after the match, but contained his annoyance with the back-pass decision which ultimately proved so costly.

‘I thought we played some very good football and it was a cruel way to lose. The back-pass decision was harsh and that was then the difference,’ he said.

‘It was a really good performance from the lads. We had 90 minutes to look at them and now we can work on a few things before the start of the season.’

Saints coach Colin Fallaize admitted that his side may have benefited from the referee’s whistle.

‘I’m not sure if it was a pass-back we were perhaps a little fortunate but the chance was taken very well,’ he said.

Saints, the Channel Island champions, almost drew first blood after just 48 seconds when a Simon Geall cross from the right was headed wide by Alex Hunter.

But North quickly bounced back with Anthony Saunders just failing to connect with a Ben Duff cross. In the first-half, Duff was able to exploit space down the right and just before the break he was once again the provider as a long-ball evaded everyone in the box and fell to the feet of Stone, who drilled a shot across the face of goal.

Stone was also lively in the first half, turning provider for a Ben Duff header that went wide.

Saints, though, had their own star-turn and after 43 minutes the younger of the Heaume brothers produced a superb dribble and cross to set up Hunter, who twice was denied by de Garis.

Heaume, who picked up the Cable & Wireless man of the match, proved to have the golden touch for Saints.

With 57 minutes gone, a seemingly innocuous ball forward by Saints led to a mix-up in the North defence, the two centre-halves tackled each other, the ball fell to de Garis who picked it up.

Referee Geoff Ogier awarded an indirect free-kick 10 yards out. North packed the goal line, but Hunter’s clever fake to lay the ball to the waiting Tom Allen gave Heaume the time and space to place the ball past de Garis into the bottom right corner.

Both sides had chances towards the end with Hunter volleying spectacularly and de Garis pulling off a fine save. Ross Cameron shot over late on for North.

A flurry of subs late in the second half fragmented the match but both coaches were rightly happy with the displays in what was a quality if not exciting match.

‘I’m pleased with the performance given that it’s early season,’ said Fallaize.

‘It’s a good warm-up game. I would swap the win tonight for three points in the league on Saturday, but then if the players hadn’t performed tonight then I would be swapping them for others on Saturday.

‘This is a reward for last season and not this season. But it’s a competitive fixture and with the season just a couple of days away, it’s a very useful way to get sharpened up.’

His opposite number, Tardif, said: ‘We always want to win and if I turn up one day and don’t want to win then it’s time to pack it in. There’s a trophy up for grabs and while it’s not the most important fixture of the season, we still want to win.’

St Martin’s open the defence of their title against Sylvans on Saturday at Blanche Pierre Lane and North face Bels four days later.