| AFC VARNDEANIANS | 0 | – | 1 | GUERNSEY |
| Gauvain 74′ |
Guernsey ground out another midweek away win on Monday night at AFC Varndeanians to keep up their 100% start to the season.
The Green Lions have negotiated two testing midweek away trips already with two clean sheets, and Charlton Gauvain’s strike with little over 15 minutes left on the clock ensured a third straight win for the first time since early 2020.
It was a scrappy game with few clear cut chances. Kian Nandhra had the best chance of the first half, curling just wide after cutting in from the left, while Murray’s turn and shot in injury time provided GFC’s brightest moment but Jordan Hawkins was equal to it.
Murray forced a block on the line then a fine save from Hawkins in quick succession around the hour mark as the visitors probed that little bit more after the break. Frazer Maginnis, making his first start for the club, also fired over after cutting in from the left.
The winner came at an almost identical time to Murray’s against Seaford last week. This time Ross Allen won the ball back and set Gauvain away to drive into the box and slam home his first goal of the season.
He came close again in injury time but one would prove to be enough.
Guernsey top the table on goal difference after three matches (although a couple of other 100%-ers have a game in hand). The only other game on Monday night saw Forest Row edge out Shoreham 2-1 to end the latter’s winning start and propel the former up alongside the Sarnians on nine points.
Tony Vance’s side now move on to rekindling fond memories as they head back into the FA Vase, visiting Bexhill United on Saturday afternoon.
AFC VARNDEANIANS: 1 Jordan HAWKINS; 2 Owen BENFELL; 3 Adam BUKLEB; 4 Sam ROGERS; 5 Omar BUKLEB (c); 6 Daniel BARKER; 7 Freddie MIDDADE; 8 Morris DENCH; 9 JJ DURAND; 10 Kian NANDHRA; 11 Alfie LOVERSIDGE.
GUERNSEY: 13 Seb SHEPPARD; 4 Tom DODDS; 5 Tom VAUDIN; 6 Seb VANCE; 7 Charlton GAUVAIN; 9 Sam MURRAY (19 Will FAZAKERLEY, 64′); 10 Ross ALLEN (c) (22 Fin PATTERSON, 89′); 11 Brandon WALLACE (2 Niall HAINSWORTH, 64′); 12 Fin DU PORT; 23 Frazer MAGINNIS (18 Dave MERRIS, 76′); 24 Jacob FALLAIZE.
Booked: Fazakerley, Gauvain.
Attendance: 104.
