Josh Addison and Fin Patterson are set to hit milestones for Guernsey this weekend as they look to get revenge on Lingfield at Victoria Park on Saturday.
Goalkeeper Addison is in line to make his 150th appearance for the club, while attacker Patterson is set to reach 50 games at just 17 years old. The teenager grabbed his third goal of the season in the win over Eastbourne United last week, his fifth overall – his ratio actually better than the one goal in give games suggests given his many short cameos off the bench.
The Green Lions are looking for a third win in a row to strengthen their grip on third place and can catch up a little bit of ground on the top with Haywards Heath Town in FA Vase action – although reeling them in in unlikely at this stage.
Tony Vance is finally getting back the selection headache he would want with players reporting fit for duty again. Brandon Wallace, Jacques Cauvin, Tom Dodds and Simon Arnold have been passed fit to compete for a place in the 16, while Niall Hainsworth and Tom Vaudin are back in full training. It’s still too early for Seb Vance, while Matt Loaring is targeting a February return after a successful minor knee operation. Ross Allen was taken off as a precaution last weekend so we wait to see if he is considered fit enough to keep his place.
Lingfield are battling hard for survival, picking up their first win in six against Roffey last weekend. It’s a tight table at the bottom and they could end the weekend anywhere between 15th and 19th. Their win over GFC in September was their first of the season, a result that frustrated the Green Lions as they missed several good chances. Jeff Duah-Kessie is their top scorer with eight. He netted in that fixture and has scored against the Sarnians for other clubs in previous seasons in the Isthmian league.
Saturday’s match returns to the regular kick-off time of 2pm. Fans unable to make it to Victoria Park can listen to full live commentary on Facebook Live or our @GuernseyFC X Space, or keep up to date with our usual social media posts.
Anna Gauvain’s Green Lionesses are also at Victoria Park this weekend as they face Bemerton Heath Harlequins Sunday afternoon in their first home game for more than a month.
They ended a three-game losing run with a hard-fought draw at Havant & Waterlooville last weekend despite missing several key players. Of those absentees, Aimee Ogier returns at the back while Adrienne Leech boosts our attacking options. Elise Le Lacheur is not quite fully fit yet but may be involved in the final matchday 16 depending on illness updates with other players.
If Alana Hockey gets the nod ahead of the returning Kayleigh Marquis in goal, it will be her 10th appearance for the club.
The 17 Gauvain has initially named are: Kayleigh Marquis, Alana Hockey, Jess Frampton, Scarlett Kenneally, Aimee Ogier, Mollie Watson, Kellie Creed, Steph Batiste, Candice Bougourd, Eleanor Jamieson, Heidi Dawber, Donna Gallienne, Elise Le Lacheur, Amy Dallamore, Ruby Smith, Adrienne Leech, Codie Le Flem.
The table is so tight except for the top and bottom places – just five points separate second and 10th – but Guernsey can’t drop lower than their current sixth with a defeat because there is only one other league game this weekend. But they could go second if they win and Wimborne Town fail to beat Shaftesbury. Bemerton Heath are one place above, also on 14 points but have played a game less. It is the first time the two sides have faced each other.
Sunday’s match kicks off at 1pm. Fans unable to make it to Victoria Park can keep up to date with our social media posts. We will confirm ahead of kick-off if live commentary will be available.
A full match report will follow both games.
