Guernsey are pushing for their best winning run in more than 11 years as they visit Midhurst & Easebourne on Saturday afternoon – pitch inspection permitted.
Following a 4-0 win at Bexhill United on Wednesday night, 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.
With Haywards Heath Town in FA Vase action, the Sarnians could also cut the gap to the top of the Southern Combination Premier Division table to five points, although the leaders would still have three games in hand. Steyning Town facing 6th-placed Newhaven also means that they will either make up further ground on second place or further increase the gap to those chasing a play-off spot, or both. Victory would also be GFC’s 20th in the league this season.
Ross Allen got a full 90 minutes rest on the bench on Wednesday night so should be fit and firing, while initial injury doubt Charlton Gauvain got through the whole game unscathed. There will be a change in goal as Josh Addison serves a one-game suspension for his red card last weekend, so Jordan Kelly will likely deputise with Seb Sheppard unavailable. Jacques Cauvin, Ben Solway, Fin du Port, George Goubert and Frazer Maginnis are all away or work-tied, while Seb Vance and Matt Loaring are still working their way back to fitness after injury. But, Dave Merris, Tom Dodds, Tom Vaudin and Gil Hunter are all in contention for a recall after missing the midweek trip. Niall Hainsworth and Will Fazakerley have reported ready for duty despite coming both off with knocks or cramp on Wednesday.
At the opposite end of the form scale, Midhurst & Easebourne haven’t won since September, a run of 11 games, and are in the bottom three – but a win could take them out the drop zone. They were promoted from the First Division in 2022 and finished 11th last season. Last weekend saw them come back from 3-1 down to claim a point at Shoreham. The reverse fixture at Footes Lane was a 4-1 win for Guernsey, with Callum Le Lacheur getting his first goals for the club in addition to strikes from Allen and Gauvain.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 2pm. Fans not making the journey to The Rotherfield in West Sussex can watch the first half live on our YouTube channel and listen to the full 90 minutes’ commentary on our @GuernseyFC X Space. We will also keep you updated via our usual social media posts.
A pitch inspection is planned for Friday afternoon. We will update fans when we have further news.
Anna Gauvain’s Green Lionesses have their best chance this calendar year to get back to winning ways as they host bottom side Shaftesbury in the Southern Region Women’s Division One South at Victoria Park on Sunday.
It’s now seven games without a win for the Women but they deserved more than to be on the end of two home defeats in their most recent outings.
Ruby Smith is set to hit double figures for appearances and will be high on confidence after her first goal at Victoria Park against Bournemouth Sports Reserves. Heidi Dawber also bagged her first for the club in that game but will miss this one as a precaution after feeling some pain in her lower leg. There will be a new debutante as Eryn James gets her first-ever call-up. Experienced midfielders Jess Frampton and Rochelle Mullen remain out injured.
The full squad is as follows: Alana Hockey, Aimee Ogier, Steph Batiste, Scarlett Kenneally, Mollie Watson, Kellie Creed, Eleanor Jamieson, Elise Le Lacheur, Candice Bougourd, Eryn James, Donna Gallienne, Kirstie Marquis, Adrienne Leech, Codie Le Flem, Ruby Smith.
Sunday’s match kicks off at 1.30pm. Fans unable to make it to Victoria Park can keep up to date via our social media posts.
A full match report will follow both games.
