Goals: Simpson (pen) 75′ – Legg 54′; Heaume 76′; Black 90+2′.

One year, one month, two weeks, two days. That’s how long Tony Vance, his team and Guernsey FC fans have waited for an away win since beating Worthing on December 12th 2015.

But the wait is finally over as the blue-shirted Green Lions produced an excellent away display to record their first victory on the road in TWENTY-SIX attempts.

Teenager Robbie Legg gave GFC the lead early in the second half but the Sarnians were pegged back from the penalty spot.

Experience proved to be the difference thanks to two excellent substitutions by Vance. Dom Heaume (within a minute of Chipstead levelling) and Ryan-Zico Black both came off the bench and onto the scoresheet to seal the win.

Despite often trying to keep it tight on the road, but showed intent straight from kick-off. Craig Young shot within 16 seconds but a deflection took it bobbling towards Luke Colquhoun. Young almost created a golden opportunity for his side as the clock ticked onto nine minutes as a good move from a free-kick resulted in his cross to the far post, but the home defence were just about able to scramble it away with Paris Pereira lurking.

But Josh Addison had his post to thank just over a minute later when Dan Cumber fired in from a corner that was only half cleared, although the young goalkeeper might have got a vital touch. Jacob Fallaize scrambled it away from near the Guernsey goal-line.

Jason Henry dragged wide from the edge of the area at the midway point in a half that both sides were struggling to dominate, although the Green Lions often looked like they could get in behind the Chipstead back four if it hadn’t been for the assistant referee’s flag.

Robbie Legg was able to beat the onrushing Colquhoun to the ball on the left but was unable to find a Guernsey shirt in the middle with the Chips keeper stranded.

Craig Young came closest of all so far for the visitors just after the half-hour mark. Dave Rihoy cushioned Andrew’s cross into the path of Young, whose shot took a deflection and looped just over. Cameron Pring, Dave Rihoy and Thomas Dodds were all denied by blocks from the resulting corner.

Guernsey looked like they were edging their way on top but were given warning that they had to keep up there concentration as Karl Parker was allowed to turn in the box but miscued over.

Andrews battled really well near the corner flag to earn himself an opportunity to cross on 37 minutes but Legg miskicked when well placed at the far post. As Chipstead went straight up the other end, Addison was forced to go down and gather a dangerous looking low cross along the six-yard box.

A ball forward from Jacob Fallaize took everyone by surprise as it put Legg through on goal, but he did not have enough conviction in his shot from the edge of the area and Colquhoun was able to block with just over five minutes left in the half.

Guernsey’s short set-pieces had been wasteful and early signs in the second half suggested they were going to go more direct from free-kicks and corners. It seemed the best way to go as the Green Lions almost took the lead in the opening minutes. Fallaize had the ball taken off his toes in the six yard box. Rihoy struck a fantastic shot against the bar on the rebound but the whistle had gone for an infringement.

Parker dragged wide with his left foot, on 52 minutes, but Guernsey finally got a reward for their first-half promise just two minutes later.

Thomas Dodds swept a fantastic ball out to the right-wing, allowing the excellent Tom De La Mare to put in a dangerous first-time low cross. Legg was waiting from close-range to force it home despite scuffing his shot.

The young forward was put through again shortly after the hour mark by Andrew’s pinpoint pass but Colquhoun stood strong to block.

Dom Heaume replaced the scorer with 20 minutes remaining for his first appearance since November, and was presented with a good chance from another dangerous Andrews delivery, but hooked it well wide, perhaps distracted by the fact that De La Mare was also shaping to shoot.

Bristol City loanee Cameron Pring was alert to deny Parker at the other end, and the resulting corner led to a penalty for Chipstead as the referee deemed Pring to have tripped his man. Scott Simpson stepped up and fired into the corner for 1-1, despite Addison getting a touch diving to his left.

In the past, that has spelled a collapse for the Green Lions, but they reacted brilliantly to lead again within a minute of the restart. Pring made up for his error by battling well on the byline, allowing Andrews to pull it back into the six yard box. Substitute Heaume was there to tuck it in for just his third goal of the season on his return.

Andrews was presented with a glorious chance as Guernsey pounced on sloppiness in the Chips backline. He was put through on the angle by Rihoy but his shot was tame and straight at Colquhoun, who held.

The on-loan Robins forward had another decent chance on the counter-attack but fired narrowly wide of the far post when cutting in from the right.

Heaume had a chance to kill it off in the final few minutes but scuffed his effort.

But the Green Lions weren’t to be denied again and finally made the points safe in stoppage-time. Andrews beat two men on the counter-attacks and teed up substitute Ryan-Zico Black to find the bottom corner.

Guernsey saw out the remaining moments relatively comfortably and the final whistle was the cue for huge elation and relief for Green Lions fans everywhere.

Chipstead: Luke Colquhoun, Tommy Smith (Michak Stewart H-T), Erivaldo Felix (c), Dan Aldou, Steve Betancourt, Matt Warren (Bradley Wilson 66′), Scott Johnson, Dan Cumber, Karl Parker, Jason Henry (Ollie Twum 52′), Scott Simpson. Not used: Rob Kember, Tony Stone.

Booked: Felix.