Jason Sarahs plays the ball forward for Vale Rec with Saints striker Marc McGrath in close attendance. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0824338)

St Martin’s 2, Vale Rec 2 (after extra time. Saints won 6-4 on penalties)
FRIDAY night at the Track proved why this season could be the most exciting in years.

With Guernsey Athletics coming into the fold, experienced coaches returning to the game and with the player movement that has gone on between the clubs, there has been plenty of anticipation for 2009-10.

Lots is expected from St Martin’s and their talented squad this campaign and you would have expected them to have brushed Vale Rec to one side in their Rawlinson Cup meeting.

But Rec, who have been revitalised under the stewardship of former island boss Phil Corbet, were on the verge of winning the match before Saints equalised in the last minute of the match to force the game into extra time. The lottery of penalties then saw the black-and-whites come out on top.

However, it showed that the big teams are certainly not going to have things all their way this season.

‘Saints are a very good side and they will be close to winning the league, but it’s made me realise that we can compete and we’ve not done that for the last couple of years,’ said Rec’s assistant coach Carl Le Tissier.

‘The league is going to be good all-round and probably five teams could win it, but time will tell. It was a good start for us and I’m very happy with that.’