Guernsey welcome the Southern Combination Premier Division’s bottom side Shoreham to Victoria Park on Saturday with their 13-goal thriller in the reverse fixture still fresh in the memory.
Shoreham have conceded more than three goals a game on average and are closing in on shipping 100 goals for the season, coming up against a Sarnian attack that has averaged more than three goals a game – but are liable to shipping a few themselves.
The Green Lions came back from 5-1 down (also falling 6-5 behind) to win 7-6 at Middle Road back in October – our goals coming from Will Fazakerley, Charlton Gauvain (two), Jacob Fallaize, Fin du Port and Sam Murray (two). It equalled GFC’s highest scoring game.
That was early on in a terrible run for the Musselmen, who went on to suffer 20 league defeats in a row. But things are looking up. They have had a change of management and brought in some new players and got their first win since August last Saturday when they beat Seaford Town 4-1. That followed a draw with Midhurst & Easebourne to make it two games without defeat. A comfortable home win for the Green Lions is no longer a given.
Guernsey are pushing for their best winning run in more than 11 years. Following a 4-0 midweek victory at Bexhill United last week, the Green Lions are bidding to make it seven wins on the bounce (they have won 11 of their last 12), their best run since the final seven games, plus the first game of the following season to make it eight in a row, of the 2012-13 season that saw us promoted from the Combined Counties Premier Division – astonishingly those seven wins came in the space of just 10 days.
The Sarnians will finish the weekend in third no matter what the result, but with Haywards Heath Town in FA Vase action GFC could cut the gap to the top of the table to five points, although the leaders would still have two games in hand.
Tony Vance has more resources back at his disposal with his squad having had the chance to rest and recover after a weekend off due to last Saturday’s postponement. Seb Vance and Matt Loaring are the two still coming back from injury, while Gil hunter and George Goubert are away. There will be a change in goal as Josh Addison serves a one-game suspension for his red card against Steyning Town, so there will be a decision on whether Jordan Kelly or Seb Sheppard deputises. Sheppard is back in the island since going travelling and has been playing in the Priaulx League for St Martin’s, but hasn’t played for the Green Lions since August.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 2pm. Fans unable to make it to Victoria Park can listen to full live commentary on Facebook Live or our @GuernseyFC X Space as well as stay informed with our social media updates. A full match report will follow.
Make sure you grab a copy of Saturday’s match programme. One lucky winner will take home a £50 fuel voucher, kindly supported by Vale Service Station.
