FIRST Tower United ladies retained the Coca-Cola Championship title in emphatic fasion on Sunday morning at La Hague by thrashing St Brelade 12-1.
Kerry Sauvage and Bronia Petersen both scored hat-tricks, with Jodie Botterill and Louise vandervliet claiming doubles alongside singles from Lisa Corten and Lara Couvert. Chrissie Lawlor earned St Brelade scant consolation with their goal.
It was Tower’s third title success and the latest triumph has been on the cards for quite some time, with nearest challengers St Paul’s nine points behind, having played a game more than the champions.
But although Tower’s played 12, won 12 record speaks for itself, manager Geoff Van Der Vliet insists that they have had to work hard for their success.
‘It’s definitely a more competitve league this season, and that’s good for ladies football,’ he said. ‘We’ve been fortunate in a way that our rivals have been taking points off each other.’
But the league has been won early, and with Tower not involved in any cup action Van Der Vliet is understandably wary of the long gap before they get to defend their Channel Islands title in the Ladies’ Upton against Guernsey St Martin’s on 20 April.
‘The girls train well, twice a week, but it is a worry that they might go stale,’ he added. ‘But I believe there are remaining league fixtures being arranged for April, so that will help us to prepare for the Upton in Guernsey.
‘This team, though still young, have been together quite a while now and if they stick together they can go a long way. It’ll be the first time we’ve faced anyone other than Sylvans in the Upton, but we are looking forward to playing someone different.’
Their nearest challengers, St Paul’s, had a double from Emma Dunning and a single from Sue Davison to thank for a 3-2 victory away to third-placed St John, while Jersey Wanderers also travelled well, beating Grouville 2-0 thanks to strikes from Kathryn Porter and a Sian Gidley penalty.
Article posted on 27th February, 2008 - 12.00am
Most Commented: