GFC strike in the nick of time

MUCH has changed in Guernsey FC's evolution of recent times, but one thing has not.

That's an innate ability to win football matches.

Here, in front of what was turning into a nervy Footes Lane crowd, they left it to the 87th minute to cap a strong performance with the winner that their efforts warranted.

That it was Matt Loaring who was credited with the goal on his 100th Green Lions appearance added to the moment, but in truth, it did not matter whether it was he or Dom Heaume who got the decisive touch.

It found the back of the net past defiant Walton Casuals goalkeeper Kieran Sanderson for a strike that even this far out from the season climax, could prove hugely important.

Described as a 'six-pointer' by Tony Vance in the build-up, the attacking records of the sides fifth and fourth in the table promised an entertaining match.

It lived up to that – and then some – in a contest that as well as being one of the most competitive clashes at 'The Lane' yet, was a joy to watch throughout.

For once, Ross Allen didn't get on the scoresheet, although it wasn't for the lack of trying as he was denied twice – one of them in stunning fashion – by Sanderson.

Indeed, it was the visiting number one who kept his side afloat in the first 45 minutes and on the balance of play, GFC grabbing all three points was just about fair.

They were led from the back by an exceptional centre-back performance by Jamie Dodd, while further forward, the trickery of Glyn Dyer, Dave Rihoy and Allen caused problems.

But, in a development that GFC are accustomed to, they had to do it the hard way after falling behind to a 37th-minute penalty that sent them in behind at the break.

Vance's team have always had a never-say-die attitude about them and after weathering a storm after half-time, Marc McGrath's equaliser changed everything.

It set it up for a perfect ending that was only just about kept on track, having to withstand a late Connor French piledriver that flew back off the crossbar.

Walton may therefore feel hard-done-by going home with nothing except a defeat that sees them drop below the Lions in the table, but in truth, they were reliant on Sanderson in the first half.

Rihoy had already had a close range shot blocked for a corner early on when Loaring was the first to test the visiting keeper, after good work by Dyer teed him up.

Opening up his body from the edge of the area, Loaring curled a beauty goalwards, only for a wonderful fingertip save to tip it onto the bar and behind for a corner.

Allen was next up to test Sanderson after 20min., when Heaume's backward flicked header under pressure set up GFC's top scorer, whose fierce cross-goal volley was brilliantly saved by an outstretched foot.

And just for good measure, he was at it again within seconds, as GFC broke quickly from defending a corner, Dodd surging forward and starting the attack.

Rihoy got to the centre-back's pass first and bore down on goal, but rather than square to Heaume for a tap-in, he shot and found Sanderson an unbeatable obstacle.

Throw in one more reaction stop to deny Allen on the half-hour mark and it was clear those blocks could be costly for the hosts.

On 36min., they were.

A low cross wasn't dealt with by GFC captain Sam Cochrane, who kicked his clearance straight up in the air and when he tried to overhead kick the loose ball clear, he instead connected with Malik Ouani and brought him down.

The reaction of the majority of the 1,101 fans present suggested they thought the decision was soft, but it was unquestionably the right decision to award the penalty, a decision Cochrane himself admitted he had no issue with.

Liam Collins kept his cool to slide home from 12 yards into the bottom corner, giving Chris Tardif no chance.

That took the wind out of GFC's sails somewhat and following that, they struggled to create much up to and then in the immediate aftermath of the half-time interval.

Ouani came close to doubling the lead when he waltzed through down the left, while GFC's first opening of the second period didn't come until the hour mark, when Allen blazed miles wide.

McGrath and Ryan-Zico Black entered the fray from the subs bench, although the latter for Nick Trebert was just moments after the young left-back was fortunate to escape with a booking from his high tackle on French.

That was one of a number of late tackles as the contest threatened to boil over, Liam Flanighan also a lucky boy for going through the back of Dyer, who himself sailed close to the wind with a poor challenge.

But while the bookings were racking up, the home chances weren't and as it turned out, they were grateful to the brilliance of Tardif to go and win the game.

He denied Ouani the crucial second goal with a breathtaking fingertip save around his near post from a powerful effort and within 90 seconds of that intervention, it was 1-1.

From the subsequent corner, GFC defended it and broke, with the loose ball falling to Allen who found Lee Hall and Flanighan in the way of his path to goal from the halfway line.

He outran both with his pace and trickery to get a shot away, which was saved by Sanderson, only for the rebound to fall kindly for McGrath to slide home.

It wasn't the cleanest finish and went via Sanderson's leg, but found its way into the roof of the net. Game on.

Allen had the ball in the back of the net moments later after brilliant work by Dodd, only for it to be disallowed for the ball being run out of play over the byline. Replays showed it clearly stayed in.

Walton had their own go at winning it in the late stages when French's effort left Tardif helpless but the woodwork intervened, before arguably the move of the afternoon won the day.

Dodd's long throw was cleared to Dyer, who found Dodd again and after beating one man, the GFC star man slid a pass through to Rihoy, who in turn pulled back to Loaring.

His shot may or may not have been heading in anyway when it ricocheted off Heaume, but regardless of who the matchwinner was, the only thing that mattered for GFC was that he was wearing green.

TEAMS

Guernsey FC: Tardif, Isabelle, Cochrane, Dodd, Trebert (Black 64), Loaring, Mahon (McGrath 60), Heaume, Dyer, Rihoy, Allen.

Walton Casuals: Sanderson, Labinjo, Siaw, Macdonald, Flanighan, Hudson, Huckle (Okai 88), Hall (Day 78), Ouani, French, Collins (Patterson-Bohner 78).

Referee: O. Yates.