St Martin’s 2, Sylvans 1

RICHARD HERPE goals are as rare as a quality England performance. His father, island and Saints defender John, did not score many either – one to be exact in his whole superb career with St Martin’s and he broke his nose in the process – so he could hardly believe it when his boy smashed the winner late on at Blanche Pierre Lane last night.

Time was running out when Herpe Junior struck 17 minutes from the end of a game that Saints should have won comfortably given the quality of their chances over the 90.

Kevin Graham’s long free-kick into the box was only cleared as far as the edge of the penalty area and there was Herpe to volley right-footed past Paul de Garis.

Herpe owed his side after giving away the penalty from which Sylvans equalised on 56min.

Wayne Bishop was tripped clumsily and Aaron Ferbrache belted the spot-kick past Nathan Pattimore.

Only minutes earlier the home side had wasted two more fine chances to add to the 10th-minute goal from Chris Mauger, whose left-wing corner sailed straight into the net to the embarrassment of the Sylvans defence.

Early in the second period, Jason Winch, who was otherwise excellent, pulled wide a great opportunity set up by Chris Le Noury and defender Jamie Dodd finished like the left back he is when he went on a great run and was fed by the precise Winch. But from 12 yards and with only de Garis to beat he made a complete hash of the chance.

The first half had belonged to Saints, too.

Winch, Le Noury, Dom Heaume twice and James Gavey all missed decent chances.

And even after restoring their lead Le Noury might have scored, the midfielder superbly denied by the near-post block by the island’s form goalkeeper.

Heaume also wasted a chance, hitting the sidenetting from close in, and Saints coach Colin Fallaize was forced to live on his nerves until referee Ian Drillot blew for time.

Fallaize admitted his side had ‘nearly thrown it away’.

‘We thoroughly deserved it, but never finished off what we threatened.

‘I would have been disappointed not to have gone away with the points.’

The three points lift St Martin’s back to within three of the leaders North, who play Bels tomorrow at Northfield.

n ST SAMPSON’S meet Grammar today, 6pm, in the Year 10 Spiller Shield final at Blanche Pierre Lane.