It’s time to celebrate as we mark one year of Victoria Park on Saturday, but Guernsey still have an important job to do in their promotion bid as fellow play-off chasers Peacehaven & Telscombe head over the Channel for what will be our landmark 600th competitive game.
Last Saturday’s defeat at Eastbourne United coupled with wins for Steyning Town and Haywards Heath Town means the Green Lion’s outside chance of stealing in for top spot is probably gone, so the focus is about securing as high a play-off place as possible over the next few weeks because that will affect whether we get a home semi-final.
Tony Vance’s side dropped to fourth in the Southern Combination Premier Division as Horsham YM also won, but we still have a game in hand. Peacehaven came back from 3-1 down in the last five minutes to snatch a point at Crawley Down Gatwick which means they are also very much in the running, just a point behind GFC (again having played a game more).
Charlton Gauvain returns from suspension (the Midhurst & Easebourne abandonment meant his two-game ban carried over to the Eastbourne trip) but Dave Merris served the second of his. Tom Vaudin (knee) and Seb Vance (shoulder) are also unavailable.
Sam Murray needs one more goal to hit 30 for the season, while Will Fazakerley is chasing double figures for the first time.
Two defeats in their last five doesn’t really tell the whole story as Guernsey have only lost three games in their last 18 outings. The Tye are unbeaten since the late defeat to GFC in November (Sam Murray with the goal), a run of 15 games including an impressive 2-1 triumph over Haywards Heath, although they have dropped points in three of their last four games.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 2pm. Fans unable to make it to Victoria Park can listen to full live commentary on Facebook Live and our @GuernseyFC X Space as well as keep up to date with our social media posts.
We are expecting another bumper crowd with 1,000 tickets donated to local schools as part of the celebrations. Please buy a ticket for our 50-50 draw, which this weekend is supporting the Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association, while there will be an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a draw after the game in support of Guernsey Motor Neurone. We encourage supporters to arrive early to soak up the match day and celebratory atmosphere, with live pre-match music from the School of Popular Music from 12:30pm.
Guernsey FC Women’s Southern Region Women’s Division One South run in of three away games begins with a trip to Bemerton Heath Harlequins on Sunday.
Buoyed by an excellent win against Havant & Waterlooville last weekend,Anna Gauvain’s side can leapfrog their opponents with a win and also gain revenge for a 90th-minute defeat 2-1 defeat at Victoria Park in January (Codie Le Flem scored for GFC). Harlequins are search for a first win in seven league games.
There are some changes to the squad with Rochelle Mullen, Kellie Creed, Adrienne Leech and Steph Batiste unavailable (and Elise Le Lacheur is still injured, but the experienced Jess Frampton travels after returning from injury last weekend, while in-form Ruby Smith is also back. There will likely be another debutant with midfielder Eryn James included in the squad for only the second time.
Aimee Ogier is set to become the fifth player to make 30 appearances for the Green Lionesses, while Eleanor Jamieson will likely reach double figures. A strong finish to the season would give the team an outside chance of finishing in the top half.
The full travelling squad is as follows: Emma Queripel, Alana Hockey, Scarlett Kenneally, Scarlett Gallagher, Mollie Watson, Aimee Ogier, Eleanor Jamieson, Jess Frampton, Eryn James, Candice Bougourd, Donna Gallienne, Heidi Dawber, Codie Le Flem, Ruby Smith.
Sunday’s game kicks off at 2pm. Fans not making the journey to The Barry Jackman Sports Pavilion and Pitches in Whitchurch, Hampshire, can watch full live coverage on our YouTube channel as well as keep up to date with our social media posts.
A match report will follow both games.
