HARTLEY WINTNEY      2 (Wylie 45’; Neves 56')
GUERNSEY                     0

Guernsey's search for a first win since the opening day goes on after Hartley Wintney kept them at bay in challenging conditions on Saturday afternoon.

The ground staff at the Memorial Playing Fields played a blinder and getting the game on in the aftermath of Storm Ciaran. The Green Lions worked hard and competed for long periods but struggled to create too much of note.

Marcio Neves had the first sight of goal just under 10 minutes in but placed his shot just wide from outside the box. Niall Hainsworth’s loose ball then presented a chance for Taylor Morgan as he drove towards the corner of the six-yard area but Jamie Dodd made an important block. Addison then saved from Jayden Smith and the follow up was scrambled behind.

In a half of few chances, Charlton Gauvain's attempt was blocked by George Winser midway through the first period after good work from Niall Hainsworth and Owen Wallbridge. Addison had to be alert to stick out a leg to divert the ball away from goal as Neves drove towards the byline and shot from the angle shortly before half time.

But it was a sign of things to come as Neves’ worked himself a yard of space with some neat footwork and drove the ball across from the left byline for Wylie to turn it in at the far post - a killer blow right at the end of the half.

Neves was off target early in the second half, but he wasn't going to be denied a place on the scoresheet and the second goal came 10 minutes into the half as he latched onto Mason Obeng's ball into space and finished coolly.

Owen Wallbridge skipped past two men and forced a save from Callum Coulter in a rare chance for Guernsey, and Addison then denied Smith at the end of a free-flowing Hartley attack just after the hour, while George Wallace fired wide on 71 minutes.

Substitute Nathaniel Boakye's skilful run ended with Addison coming out on top from the resulting shot from distance and the visiting defence stood strong to prevent Neves getting his second

Guernsey had put up a good fight but couldn't find a breakthrough. Jack Griffin slipped at the vital moment as he went to strike late on. The Green Lions can take heart from their fight as they prepare for another crucial home game on Saturday against Corinthian-Casuals.

The Green Lions remain one place off the bottom in Isthmian South Central. Only three other games in the division took place thanks to the weather, with the other results as follows: Ashford Town 1-2 Uxbridge, South Park 0-4 Chertsey Town, Westfield 2-1 Thatcham Town.

Hartley Wintney: 1 Callum COULTER; 2 Elijas Bagdonavicius; 3 George WALLACE 12 Mark AMANING, 85'); 4 George WINSER; 5 Liam GAVIN; 6 CJ FEARN; 7 Jayden SMITH (15 Harrison BAYLEY, 81'); 8 Mason OBENG; 9 Taylor MORGAN; 10 Marcio NEVES; 11 Reece WYLIE (14 Nathanial BOAKYE, 71). Not used: 16 Jensen MANSEL; 20 Callum SMART.

Booked: Wylie

Guernsey: 1 Josh ADDISON; 2 Niall HAINSWORTH (15 Tom DODDS, 71'); 3 Jamie DODD (c); 4 Dave MERRIS (12 Joe ALVAREZ, 75'); 5 Tom VAUDIN; 6 Kieran MAHON (14 Seb VANCE, 75'); 7 Charlton GAUVAIN; 8 Dave RIHOY; 9 Sam MURRAY; 10 Owen WALLBRIDGE; 11 Jack GRIFFIN.

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