Guernsey’s men’s side have a particularly tricky period to navigate in their bid to remain one of the front runners in the play-off race in the Southern Combination Premier Division.
With the likes of Horsham YM, Peacehaven & Telscombe and Saturday’s hosts Newhaven breathing down their necks, the Green Lions follow the trip to the Newhaven’s Ford Road on Saturday with a home game against second-placed Steyning Town next weekend and a testing midweek away at top-half Bexhill United.
Our 7-1 demolition of the Dockers in the reverse fixture in September (braces for Sam Murray and Brandon Wallace plus goals from Ross Allen, Callum Le Lacheur and a first for Seb Vance) means nothing as the south coast side continue to push for a place in the top five. They could draw level on points with GFC with a win but have a vastly inferior goal difference (we would still drop to fourth with defeat if Horsham YM were to win). Lee Robinson is Newhaven’s one to watch, with 17 goals to his name this season.
The Sarnians can take confidence in a run of eight wins in nine games stretching back to the 8-0 rout of Roffey in November. Tony Vance will be missing the experience of Jamie Dodd, Jacob Fallaize and Will Fazakerley through injury or illness (as well as the longer-term Seb Vance and Matt Loaring), but will be boosted by the return to the squad of Simon Arnold and Niall Hainsworth after lengthy spells out. Jacques Cauvin got vital minutes (and scored) as a substitute in last Saturday’s win over Lingfield, while Tom Vaudin was also back but an unused substitute.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 2pm. Fans not making the journey to Fort Road in East Sussex can watch the first half live on our YouTube channel or listen to the whole 90 minutes on our @GuernseyFC X space, as well as keep up with our usual social media updates.
Anna Guavain’s Green Lionesses have frustration to get out of their system following the last-gasp defeat to Bemerton Heath Harlequins, despite looking like the team more likely to grab a winner late on.
They are back at Victoria Park on Sunday as Bournemouth Sports reserves visit the island. The team fought back from 3-1 down to claim a point in the reverse fixture in September, Aimee Ogier and Calleigh Hedley (twice) with the goals.
Vicki Rang is still unavailable and Amy Dallamore and Jess Frampton are fresh injury woes but Gauvain still has a full 16 at her disposal, boosted by a return form injury for Elise Le Lacheur.
Donna Gallienne, Scarlett Kenneally and Codie Le Flem are all set to become the first three players to reach 30 appearances for the team, while Alana Hockey will hit double figures.
The full squad is as follows: Alana Hockey, Scarlett Kenneally, Aimee Ogier, Mollie Watson, Kellie Creed, Steph Batiste, Candice Bougourd, Eleanor Jamieson, Kirstie Marquis, Emily McCartney, Heidi Dawber, Donna Gallienne, Elise Le Lacheur, Ruby Smith, Adrienne Leech, Codie Le Flem.
Bournemouth Sports Reserves are two points and two places behind Guernsey but have two games in hand. They have won three of their 10 matches this season. The could leapfrog Guernsey info fifth, while the Sarnians are aiming for third.
Sunday’s match kicks off at the later time of 3.30pm. Fans unable to make it to Victoria Park can follow our social media updates and we will confirm before kick-off if commentary is available.
Full match reports will follow both games.
