Marc Laws, scorer of two Bels goals, tries to hook the ball forward over Jacques Ogier. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0824582)

Bels 8, Guernsey Athletics 3
GUERNSEY ATHLETICS’ return to competitive football turned out to be a baptism of fire.

Despite taking the lead twice at the Track on Saturday, the reformed club went down an astonishing 8-3 to champions-elect Bels.

‘At times, it was men against boys, but for our first game we have to take some positives out of it,’ said Tics boss Steve Ogier.

‘We scored some good goals, but as I told the boys I was disappointed that we didn’t do better in possession. What disappoints me the most is that we are capable of being better in possession.

‘We had a dream start and if we get the ball in the right areas we’ve got goals in us.’

Tics got the opening goal after just two minutes when the nippy Daniel Marquand got on the end of a through ball to slot it past Bels keeper Rhys Gower.

It was a well-taken goal.

Bels responded by having a hatful of chances, but they were kept at bay by Tics’ goalkeeping coach Steve Ingrouille, who was in between the posts as stand-in for the holidaying Tom Creed.