Monday, September 30, 2024

Guernsey FC joy at first win of the season

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Influential midfielder Charlton Gauvain played a key part in Guernsey FC’s win [Fran Torode]

Guernsey FC boss Tony Vance says he is not going to “get carried away” after his side’s first win since in more than six months.

The Green Lions were 3-2 victors at Horndean, who had been in the play-off places in Isthmian League South Central before the game.

The victory lifted Guernsey up to fourth-from-bottom of the table and occupying the final relegation place only on goal difference.

“I’m not going to get carried away, I know where we are and what the situation is,” Vance told BBC Radio Guernsey after overseeing a first league victory since 9 March.

“The result was fantastic and great for the players.

“But the performance, I thought, was fantastic in terms of what we’re trying to do in the way we’re playing, and the process we’re working towards in terms of the next couple of years – it’s a very young team.”

Despite missing a number of defensive players due to the Guernsey FA’s Under-21 side playing their Malaya Cup fixture, Vance’s side started well with Sam Murray giving them a third-minute lead.

Rudi Blankson equalised after half-an-hour but record goalscorer Ross Allen put the Green Lions in front in first-half stoppage time.

Horndean levelled again just before the hour mark thanks to Billy Allcock but Matt Loaring finished after a great pass from Charlton Gauvain to put Guernsey 3-2 up with 16 minutes to go.

“I think I was a little bit worried because with the Under-21 game today we were missing a lot of players, plus the injuries and stuff like that – so we had to throw the back-line together,” added Vance.

“But the way we performed was fantastic and the players deserved the three points, and I’m really pleased for them.”

He added: “You look at the goalscorers today – Sam Murray, Matt Loaring, Ross Allen – they’re the ones who are going to get the goals for us.

“But Charlton carved all three out with his excellence and quality, so when you’ve got him in this team you’ve got half a chance.

“Offensively we were quite strong today, but defensively we were missing a lot of players, so the best bit of our performance was the way we played out with confidence and managed to build possession and get the end product.”

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