Guernsey’s FA Vase campaign steps up a notch on Saturday as new opponents Staplehurst Monarchs visit Victoria Park.
Having negotiated two tricky qualifying rounds, the Green Lions are in the first round proper and will be favourites against a side a step lower in the pyramid, but with step six side Croydon proving a tough test in the previous round, Tony Vance knows it won’t be a stroll for his side against a team who has already knocked out higher-league opposition.
Staplehurst play in the first division of the Southern Counties East League (they finished ninth last season), admitted to that level in 2019 after success in the Kent County League. They are eighth in the league with four wins, two draws and four defeats so far, with their last outing being a 4-0 defeat to SC Thamesmead in the Kent County Cup.
They only had to negotiate one qualifying round of the Vase, coincidentally knocking out Shoreham, against whom the Sarnians roared back from 5-1 down to win 7-6 in a crazy game on Tuesday night.
Despite the entertainment value, Vance will be hoping for a calmer outing from his side and a sturdier defence. After bringing in some young players for the Shoreham game, he will have more experience at his disposal as Callum Le Lacheur, Ben Solway, Frazer Maginnis, Dave Merris and Jamie Dodd should all be available for selection, while Seb Vance and Josh Addison are expected to be back after injury.
Jacques Cauvin, Matt Loaring, Simon Arnold and Tom Vaudin remain out injured. Sam Murray will be looking to be the first GFC player to hit double figures this season, with his eighth and ninth goals of the campaign on Tuesday taking him to 40 in total for the club.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 2pm. Fans unable to make it to Victoria Park can follow our live updates on our social media channels, and we hope to bring live commentary on our Facebook page and @GuernseyFC X Space if we have the personnel available (if so, we will advise ahead of kick-off).
Guernsey FC Women head to the mainland on Sunday for a rematch with Andover New Street, just three weeks after their thrilling 4-4 draw at Victoria Park.
Codie Le Flem’s stunning equaliser in the 100th minute (following what looked like a 95th-minute winner for the visitors at Victoria Park) to preserve the Green Lionesses’ unbeaten start will still be fresh in the memory. Le Flem returns to the squad having missed last Sunday’s draw with AFC Stoneham. Adrienne Leech and Rochelle Mullen are both unavailable. Calleigh Hedley is set to become the latest player to reach 20 appearances for the Sarnians.
Andover are in second place in the Southern Region Women’s Division One, but are just a point clear of GFC in a tight table. Since their point at Victoria Park, they have won two games handsomely, scoring 13 goals in the process.
The full travelling squad is as follows: Alana Hockey, Scarlett Kenneally, Vicki Rang, Aimee Ogier, Mollie Watson, Heidi Dawber, Steph Batiste, Amy Dallamore, Jess Frampton, Candice Bougourd, Donna Gallienne, Elise Le Lacheur, Ruby Smith, Codie Le Flem, Calleigh Hedley.
Sunday’s match kicks off at 12.30pm. Fans not heading to Foxcotte Park in Andover can keep up via our social media posts.
A full match report will follow both games.