BELS showed a glimpse last night of what could come this year. The team who are marginal favourites to win what is expected to be a very close Priaulx League this season, tore apart St Martin’s at The Track yesterday evening.

Saints themselves could be in the running for the league, but although they were admittedly under strength, Bels gave an impressive display of pace and movement in their victory to win their first trophy of the new campaign.

‘I’m over the moon with the performance more than getting a bit of silverware,’ said Bels’ boss Micky Ogier.

‘We played some decent football. All over the park we’ve got people who can score goals.

‘I know they were missing a couple but so were we with no Billy Page and Scott Bradford. I’m very pleased with that performance and we’re moving in the right direction.

‘Also the attitude is good and you can see that a mile away.’

The home side got their opener in the first minute when Saints midfielder Craig Farnham handled the ball in the area. Striker Marc McGrath put away the penalty as Farnham also got a yellow card for his troubles.

A minute later Bels’ new signing, island star Dave Rihoy, hit the far upright after he broke free of the opposing defence.

The visitors nearly equalised just before the half-hour mark when Chris Mauger’s rasping shot slammed into the bar.

But with 10 minutes to go before half time, Bels went two up through winger Rihoy when he got on the end of a low cross from McGrath to slot it home.

Shortly after the start of the second half, Bels came close to stretching their lead when Neil Clegg was in a prime position in the area but a fine one-handed save by Nathan Pattimore denied him.

But Clegg was to get his name on the scoresheet with 20 minutes left when he struck a long ball first time from the corner of the area that found its way past Pattimore into the bottom corner – a real peach of a goal.

The rout was completed five minutes from time when Rihoy converted a rebounded Matt Drillot shot from close in.

The former North man wasted a hat-trick chance in the dying moments when he screwed wide a juicy opportunity.

Despite the result, Saints’ coach Colin Fallaize said he could take some positives away from the game. The two teams next face each other on Saturday on the first day of the Priaulx League.

‘You are disappointed when you lose any game but I can see some positives from that,’ said Fallaize.

‘I have to be realistic. We were playing against a side that have been together for a few seasons.

‘They have got a good unit and we’re at a start of a learning curve. We held our own and I don’t think the game was away from us.

‘They put their four chances away.’