Guernsey’s dramatic turnaround win at Lancing last weekend ended a poor run of defeats in September, and the Green Lions are out to build on that on Saturday and start heading back up the table as a new-look Horsham YM come to Victoria Park.
The YM are not the same side as the one that beat the Green Lions twice last season before we got revenge in the play-off semi-finals. Their manager Liam Giles left very early on in this campaign and most of the squad left too – meaning they are a far more unknown entity. They have won just one of their 10 games since Giles announced his departure, but their last league outing was a draw against promotion favourites Haywards Heath Town – and that took an injury-time equaliser from Hayward’s Heath goalkeeper – which is proof that they will likely make things difficult for GFC this weekend.
The Sarnians need to get their form going back in the right direction so they don’t lose too much ground on the teams at the top. Tony Vance will be delighted to welcome back Sam Murray to his attacking options after a knee injury, while Fin du Port has recovered from his ankle injury to boost numbers in midfield. Charlton Gauvain, Matt Loaring, Callum Le Lacheur, Dave Merris, Niall Hainsworth and Josh Addison remain sidelined with injury.
Horsham YM won 3-2 at Victoria Park a year ago in the league, with all the goals coming in the first half. Le Lacheur and Ross Allen got the goals for the Greens. There was then a 4-0 defeat away from home but Loaring added to a Will Fazakerley brace in May to win the play-off semi-final.
Due to goal difference, Guernsey are realistically able to move up to seventh in the Southern Combination Premier Division with a win.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 1.30pm. Supporters unable to make it to Victoria Park can keep up to date via our social media posts. A full match report will follow.
Guernsey FC Women have had a welcome boost their attack, with Ruby Smith included for the first time this season as they visit Bursledon in a basement battle in Division One South of the Southern Region Women’s Football League.
Smith, who has been nursing a knee injury that will still need to be managed, scored seven goals in her debut season, taking some of the burden in the absence of Calleigh Hedley, including scoring a goal in five consecutive matches. Hedley is also back this weekend after one-match suspension, proving welcome options for Anna Gauvain’s side.
The Green Lionesses will be without last Sunday’s goalscorer Adrienne Leech, who is unavailable – as are Steph Batiste and Elenista Lambrou. There could be a new debutant as Molly Meadowcroft joins up with the squad for the first time, having come through the academy and becoming eligible for selection.
The full squad is as follows: Emma Queripel, Mollie Watson, Scarlett Kenneally, Aimee Ogier, Zakiyya Qasim, Candice Bougourd, Eryn James, Molly Meadowcroft, Donna Gallienne, Amy Dallamore, Elise Le Lacheur, Calleigh Hedley, Codie Le Flem, Ruby Smith.
Emma Queripel is set become the first goalkeeper to play 20 games for the Green Lionsesses, while captain Candice Bougourd will be the latest to reach 40 appearances.
Following last weekend’s late, and harsh, defeat to Millbrook, both Guernsey and their hosts Bursledon have one point from their opening three games and occupy the bottom two spots in the table. The winner could sneak into the top half.
Sunday’s match kicks off at 2pm. Fans not making the journey to Priory Park in Hampshire can watch full live coverage of the game on our YouTube channel, listen to commentary on our @GuernseyFC X Space or follow our social media posts. A full match report will follow.
