_Teams:

_{Athletics: Creed; Le Tocq, Ashplant, Pengelley, Ramsden; Ogier, L. Graham (Le Huray 84), Wiltshire),}

_{Le Prevost; Marquand (Smith 58), Jenkins.}

_{Referee: D. Gilman.}

_{DINNER HOUR Danny Marquand struck twice at Northfield and then returned to Johns Butchers on the Bridge with a smile across his face as wide as the Crocq across from the shop.}

_{And what two cracking goals they were as he finished off good link play with his strike partner Tom Jenkins.}

_{Etienne Le Prevost added a third goal and even though Sam Le Huray wasted a golden opportunity to get his first goal in Division One football – he’s missed easier putts – it was a fantastic afternoon for the maroon-and-whites and put the squad in good mood before their Christmas party at the Dog House later.}

_{‘They were all excellent out their today’ said assistant coach Kevin Graham who along with the boss, Steve Ogier, put together a scratch back four which included only one regular in Miles Pengelley, who was superb playing alongside big ‘Ash’ who had a superb game against island centre-forward Simon Tostevin.}

_{The backs were new recruits Damien Le Tocq and Paul Ramsden and both had very fine games.}

_{True, North were well short of strength, but so too were Tics who were forced into a string of changes and were thankful that Danny got time off work to play as he worked extra time on Friday to get two hours off on Saturday afternoon.}

_{His two goals take him to eight for the season.}

_{Luke Graham held a good position at the base of midfield and showed what he is made of, while our skipper, Vijay, put in another incredible shift alongside.}

_{On the flanks youngsters Jacques Ogier and Etienne Le Prevost did all that was asked of them.}

_{Rovers’ last-gasp winner at St Peter’s denied us moving up two places in the table, but we now sit fifth level with Rovers on points and with a top-four finish well within the capability of a hungry squad who are a credit to themselves, the club and Division One football.}

_{Athletics 1, Bels 3}

_{Teams:
Athletics: Creed, Gallie, Gauvain, Duff, Pengelley (L. Graham, 63);  Le Prevost (Le Tocq, 64), Wiltshire, Mullen, Ramsden; Jenkins, Farnham.}

_{Bels: Rowe, King, Cochrane, Abbott, Bourgaize; J, Rihoy (Williams, 32)), Drillot, Pinsard, Marley; D. Rihoy, Le Cheminant.
Referee: M. Walsh.}

_{QUITE probably Tics’ best performance of the season did not get the reward it deserved – a draw.}

_{In a mud bath at Victoria Avenue, Steve and Kevin’s steadily improving unit gave Bels a real run for their money and were only sunk in the last few minutes by Neil Le Cheminant’s piledriver.}

_{But there was an awful lot to take from the performance.}

_{Four players made their debuts – three from the start – and the modified side played really well and matched Bels, who go top of he table with the win, in every area.}

_{Dave Rihoy was the difference, as so often he is in domestic games.}

_{With Ricky Moore still unfit, Ciaran Flanagan and top-scorer Danny Marquand worktied, we gave starts to Paul Ramsden, whose transfer came through on Friday, Craig Farnham up front and Aaron Gallie at right back.}

_{Farnham shocked Bels with a debut goal after just 57 seconds but after Simon Marley had levelled Rihoy put the home side ahead with a typically opportunistic strike after 51 minutes.
Athletics kept Champions’s side very much on their toes until Neil Le Cheminant settled proceedings with a blistering half volley with six minutes left.
Both bosses had reason to be satisfied beyond Matt Walsh’s final whistle.
Champion said it had been a ‘hard game on a hard surface’ and rarely have six truer words had been spoken.
Steve Ogier does not dish out praise readily but was quietly satisfied by the efforts of the lads.}

_{‘I’m very encouraged by the way we competed with them,’ said Ogier.
‘They are a competitive side Bels and we matched them all over the pitch.
‘It was an even game and we were well in it.’
Champion saw it similarly and talked about ‘no easy games’.
‘The Tics played very well and were strong in the centre.’
Mark Gauvain played particularly well alongside Ben Duff and Tom Creed enjoyed his best game yet for the club.}

_{All the debutants did well, even though Aaron clearly needs to work on his throw-in technique!}

_{We stay sixth in the table behind Rovers on goal difference.}

_{So it’s North next week with a friendly 24 hours later against Government United at St Sampson’s High.}

_{Onwards and upwards.}