Island players Scott Bradford of Bels, left, and St Martin’s Ben Coulter challenge for the ball last night at the Corbet Field. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0751023)

St Martin’s 1, Bels 1 (a.e.t. Bels win 7-6 on penalties)
MICKY OGIER had a cheer up last night.

The Bels manager was at a low ebb earlier in the week when only nine of his players turned up to training on Monday evening and he admitted that he would be ‘surprised if we get anything out of the CI Champions League final’.

But Bels turned out in force for their manager as they overcame the much fancied St Martin’s, albeit after extra time and penalties.

‘It’s about time we had a bit of luck,’ said Ogier, after the game at the Corbet Field.

‘I was a bit disappointed on Monday night, but I can’t fault the effort from them tonight. I thought we were the better side in the first half and they were better in the second, but we dominated in extra time.’

Bels captain Sam Cochrane, clearly delighted with having picked up his team’s first silverware of the year, refuted any suggestions that the poor turnout at training reflected any problems at the club.

‘Our squad has been thinner than it has been in previous years,’ he said.

‘There were a few people playing in the under-21s and some were working. We were a bit stuck.’