| EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN | 0 | – | 1 | GUERNSEY |
| Fazakerley (pen) 14′ |
Will Fazakerley continued his fine start to to the season as he netted an early winner from the penalty spot, with his side holding firm for a hard-fought win at East Grinstead Town.
Faz went one better than the home side’s Dan Perry, whose own spotkick was brilliant kept out by Josh Addison just moment later, then the Green Lions went on to defend resolutely in the second half with as many as 10 players unavailable.
Archie Drillot thrived on his full debut, forming a formidable partnership with Ben Solway and brilliantly protected by Dave Merris and Seb Vance in front as Tony Vance’s side made it two wins from two to start the season.
GFC showed their tactical flexibility in switching to a back four and looked dangerous early on, with Solway flicking a Jacques Cauvin throw-in goalwards and Charlton Gauvain almost punished Wasps keeper Harry Haowes for mis-controlling a back pass.
A poor back pass teed up the opportunity for the opening goal just before the quarter-hour mark. Gauvain seized onto it and although his touch was heavy it tempted Howes into a rash challenge and the home stopper brought Guernsey’s captain down. Fazakerley opted for a similar approach to Saturday, confidently dispatching the penalty to Howes’ left, even though he had gone the right way. It marked Faz’s 40th goal for the club.
But within moments, East Grinstead were gifted the chance to restore instant parity as the referee deemed Cauvin to have clipped Ollie Starkey to the side of the area. But Addison also guessed right, stretching enough to push Perry’s effort away to safety.
Simon Arnold came close with a long-range effort that whistled just over the bar, but one was enough to see the Sarnians through to the break – so far, so good.
Vance expected the pressure to crank up from the hosts it so it proved, but his side defended manfully. It was backs-to-the-wall but without giving up too many clear cut chances.
There were a few close calls, like when Tegan Freeman came close when flicking on a cross and Harris hit the side netting after a short corner. Addison made a fine stop as Shea Cascoe-Rogers cut in from the right and fired at goal midway through the second half and an important double save in injury time, reacting quickly to keep out the rebound after keeping out an initial long-range strike.
While it may be too early for the league table to be taking real shape, maximum points is the perfect way to go into the first league mini break as Guernsey attempt to negotiate the FA Cup and FA Vase over the next two weekends.
EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN: 1 Harry HOWES; 2 Joseph STONE; 3 Nicolas D’ARIENZO; 4 Charles HARRIS; 5 Nathan COOPER; 6 Alexander MALLINS; 7 Tegan FREEMAN (15 Omar FOLKES, 65′); 9 Dan PERRY (c) (22 Steve SMITH, 65′); 10 Kieron PAMMENT; 19 Curtis GAYLER; 20 Ollie STARKEY (Shea CASCOE-ROGERS, 65′). Not used: 12 Luke LEPPARD; 22 Stephen SAUNDERS.
GUERNSEY: 1 Josh ADDISON; 2 Niall HAINSWORTH; 6 Seb VANCE; 7 Charlton GAUVAIN (c); 14 Simon ARNOLD (25 Alfie TORODE, 88′); 15 Ben SOLWAY; 17 Callum LE LACHEUR (20 George GOUBERT, 77′); 18 Dave MERRIS; 19 Will FAZAKERLEY (16 Corey BROUARD, 77′); 21 Jacques CAUVIN; 23 Archie DRILLOT.
Attendance: 277.
