| NEWHAVEN | 1 | – | 3 | GUERNSEY |
| Robinson 6′ | Murray 35′ Goubert 43′ Allen 49′ |
Guernsey overcame a lacklustre opening to take control and make it three wins in a row at Newhaven on Tuesday night.
As in the win over Horsham YM at the weekend, George Goubert was both scorer and provider as the Green Lions claimed a highly useful three points from a midweek away that keeps them right in the chasing pack.
Guernsey didn’t start the game particularly well but recovered from a shaky first 15 to dominate.
Newhaven were really up for it and Will Fazakerley had his pocket picked in midfield inside two minutes, with the ball quickly shifted to Ezra Roeg but the shot was pushed away by a diving Seb Sheppard.
That was a warning as the Dockers deservedly edged in front after five minutes. Lee Robinson hooked the ball over to Tom Sekyere in the area, who headed back towards the Newhaven captain to nod the ball home and reward the hosts’ strong start.
The visitors could have been punished again immediately as Allen lost the ball and Billy Oliver was played in behind, but his early shot was week and fielded by Sheppard. Robinson then shrugged off Jamie Dodd on the right touchline and drove towards goal but Sheppard blocked with his legs at the near post.
Dodd was forced off early, holding what looked like his ribs, and the introduction of Fin du Port forced a change of shape which seemed to spark a change in fortunes for the Sarnians, although they did have to see out 10 minutes of play a man short as Fallaize was booked and sent to the sinbin for letting out his frustration at the assistant referee.
Fazakerley dragged wide from outside the box after a neat spell of play on the left as the Lions grew into the game, although there was one more scare as a ball was played across the six-yard box but a stretching Sekyere could only stretch to send it over.
Seconds later, Guernsey were level as Goubert curled in a cross from the corner of the area for Sam Murray to peel away from his marker and prod home from six yards.
Tony Vance’s side were really on the front foot now and turned it round before half-time. Dylan Graham’s footwork completely flummoxed his marker on the right and he created space for the cross that was headed home in the middle by Goubert.
The Greens built on the platform they had built for themselves after the turnaround and had another within four minutes as du Port took a short corner to Graham, who whipped the ball low into the danger area and Allen stabbed in from close range.
GFC kept the pressure on and du Port sent the ball just wide as he hit a dropping ball on the spin. Graham should have done better after outfoxing his man again in the area but got underneath his shot. Substitute Fin Patterson also sent a dipping volley narrowly over from a good position.
Guernsey managed the game well and kept the ball in the closing stages for a satisfying conclusion and were even able to hand a debut to Louis Hunter, who became the 130th player to represent the club.
The Green Lions haven’t moved up the table in the Southern Combination Premier Division but are now level on points with the four teams directly above them. The other midweek results were as follows: Billingshurst 3-2 Midhurst & Easebourne, Forest Row 1-1 Crawley Down Gatwick, Little Common 2-1 AFC Varndeanians, Bexhill United 2-1 Horsham YM.
NEWHAVEN: 1 Fraser TRIGWELL; 2 Tom SEKYERE (16 Kenzie LILLEY, 83′); 3 Ash WADHAMS (12 Jesse LAMBERT, 83′); 4 George McCARTHY; 5 Harvey WHEELER; 6 Max VARDY; 7 Charlie GIBSON; 8 Joe RADLEY-MARTIN (15 Matt FEENEY-HILL, HT); 9 Lee ROBINSON (c); 10 Billy OLIVER (17 Fin CHISHOLM, 65′); 11 Ezra ROEG. Not used: 14 Louis McMAHON.
Booked: Wadhams, Feeney-Hill, Wheeler, Vardy.
GUERNSEY: 13 Seb SHEPPARD; 3 Jamie DODD (5 Fin DU PORT, 16′); 6 Seb VANCE; 9 Sam MURRAY (12 Louis HUNTER, 87′) ; 10 Ross ALLEN (c); 19 Will FAZAKERLEY; 20 George GOUBERT (22 Fin Patterson 79′); 21 Jacques CAUVIN; 23 Archie DRILLOT; 24 Jacob FALLAIZE; 25 Dylan GRAHAM (11 Brandon Wallace 84′).
Booked: Fallaize, Cauvin, Drillot. Sinbinned: Fallaize.
Attendance: 78.
