Goals: Loaring 25’ – Hedley 54’; Robbins 66’, 87’.

Guernsey were left dumbfounded by their luck (or lack of) as they were beaten by Isthmian League newcomers Badshot Lea at Footes Lane on Saturday afternoon.

The Green Lions hit the woodwork three times, one of which led indirectly to falling behind second later, had a credible penalty shout turned away and perhaps had a case in their appeals against the one awarded to the visitors.

There was a surprise in the team news with the return of Ryan-Zico Black for the first time in more than a year. His appearance took him level with Alex Le Prevost on 202 matches for the Sarnians, joint sixth in the all-time list. At the other end of the scale, Owen Wallbridge made his debut off the bench, and his inclusion along with fellow teenagers Jack Griffin, Keene Domaille and Brandon Wallace points to an exciting future.

Domaille and Seb Vance fired early warning shots in a positive start from the hosts, who took a deserved lead on 25 minutes. Matt Loaring closed down George Hedley on the edge of the box and picked out Sam Murray in the middle. His shot was blocked but Loaring was on hand to tap home the rebound.

Reece Robins’ effort was well off target in a half of few chances and based on possession. GFC could be pleased with their 45 minutes’ work.

Tom Vaudin and Griffin headed off target early in the second half, either side of a good save from Josh Addison, getting down low to deny Robbins.

Badshot’s equaliser was similarly untidy, but one they were grateful for as George Hedley finished from close range after a scramble.

Loaring saw a shout for a penalty waved away shortly after and then the Green Lions were desperately unlucky not to go back in front midway through the half and instead saw the game turned on its head in the blink of an eye.

First, substitute Brandon Wallace jinked his way into a shooting position on the edge of the area only to see his curler bounce away off the far post. Then, shortly after Lamin Ceesay had blazed over from 18 yards, Loaring won the ball back in the Badshot half, exchanged passes with Wallace and let fly himself from outside the box. His dipping effort deserved to find the net but instead smacked the crossbar.

Within seconds, GFC were behind. As the ball was cleared from Loaring’s effort, it was played over the top as Badshot went for the quick counter. Addison rushed out and got enough on it to keep it away from the nearest attacker, but the loose ball fell kindly for Robbins, who went for the chip towards the empty net from 30 yards. He couldn’t have judged it better as it landed in the net inches ahead of two Guernsey defenders racing back and sliding in to try and block.

The Sarnians’ rotten luck reared its head again on 72 minutes when Griffin chased a bouncing ball in the area and was clearly wiped out by goalkeeper Harry Cawdron, who was nowhere near the ball, but the referee inexplicably chose to ignore it and let play go on.

Addison did brilliantly to keep his side in the game on 83 minutes as the ball was squared for Lamin Ceesay for what should have been a tap-in, but the Guernsey stopper smothered the effort with his feet to keep the score at 2-1.

Unfortunately, it was still to get worse with three minutes left. Vaudin claimed to have fairly nicked the ball away from Lamin Ceesay on the edge of the area, but the referee decided there was a trip in there and awarded a penalty. Addison did brilliantly with the initial effort from Kane Fitzgerald, not fooled by the stuttered run up and making the block, but after a scrap to reach the rebound, Robbins eventually turned it home for his second and all three points.

Loaring’s 360^th appearance deserved so much more than his solitary goal, and he was denied again by the woodwork in stoppage time, with an almost identical shout that rattled the same bit of the crossbar.

With more luck, and with their ranks boosted by the availability of the likes of Tom Dodds, Jacob Fallaize, Kieran Mahon, Charlton Gauvain, Will Fazakerley and Ross Allen, Tony Vance will be confident that his side will recover from their stuttering start.

The result means Guernsey have just three points from their opening five games and are 16^th. Saturday’s other results were as follows: Ashford Town 1-1 Chipstead; Corinthian-Casuals 0-5 Sutton Common Rovers, Raynes Park Vale 3-2 Chertsey Town, Uxbridge 1-2 South Park.

Badshot Lea: 1 Harry CAWDRON; 2 Harvey GRIFFITHS; 3 Callum WILTSHIRE (12 Cameron ROHART-BROWN, 70’); 4 George HEDLEY; 5 George FRISE; 6 Billy ORAM (14 Kai ALLSOPP, 73’); 7 Lamin CEESAY; 8 Kane FITZGERALD; 9 Tan CAUBO (15 Anuar CEESAY, 61’); 10 Reece Robins; 11 Baback Dehgani. Not used: 16 Steven Scylla.

Booked: Ceesay.