Guernsey FC fail to take chances against champions-elect

THEY will have had few more frustrating days but even in defeat Guernsey FC at least showed on Saturday that they truly belong in the higher branches of the Ryman South tree.

Going into this big top-of-the-table clash at runaway league leaders Peacehaven, the Green Lions would have been excused for having some trepidation about the trip to Sussex.

There has been little doubt for a number of weeks now that Peacehaven are the champions-elect, rattling in goals for fun to a total that has now reached exactly 100 and they have an enviable playing budget too.

However, come the full-time toot of erratic referee Gary Parsons' whistle, it is fair to say that although 2-0 may have been the fair outcome, it should have been in favour of visiting GFC.

Tony Vance's men were excellent throughout, played all the football that have made his side a joy to watch in the recent past and thoroughly outplayed their hosts – barring a 15-minute period at the start of the second half.

In the end, it was their lack of a clinical edge that cost them, as they squandered chances – including a Ross Allen penalty to level it – with Peacehaven keeper Anthony Di Bernardo so busy that he was awarded his side's man-of-the-match award.

As for GFC, there were a number of sterling performances in a strong team effort that saw right-back Tom de la Mare impress in place of the injured Nigel Hutton, who may now be out for the season.

Jacques Isabelle slotted in well alongside the excellent Angus Mackay – barring one mistake for the latter that led to his late sending off – at centre back due to the suspension of Jamie Dodd.

They surprisingly weren't asked to deal with Peacehaven's top scorer, Charlie Walker, who was dropped in favour of recent loan signing Sam Gargan, who, in reality, had little impact.

Peacehaven's tactics all season have seemingly been to play the direct approach and it was no different here, as all of the flowing football was being played by their opposition.

Missing the presence of Kieran Mahon in centre-midfield through injury was a loss for GFC but, in fairness, Ryan-Zico Black and Rhys Jordan stepped up well and had decent games.

As it would turn out, it was the Lions' willingness to play out from the back that would cost them the crucial opener seconds into the second half but, for the most part, it is entertaining in the extreme.

Dave Rihoy came close to opening the scoring with a rising effort in the very first minute, while a Dom Heaume volley skimmed wide in what was a frantic opening at both ends.

GFC dealt with the Peacehaven aerial threat and the only time they nearly conceded early on was when Josh Jones' ambitious attempt flew just over, after Chris Tardif had thrown the ball to him from the GFC goal.

But it wasn't until the 15min. mark when the best chance of the lot came for the visitors, with Black floating a through ball in behind the defence to Allen, who from that position invariably scores.

This time, however, Di Bernardo spread himself well and stopped the shot with his feet while, moments later, Rihoy's curling long-range attempt went just wide of the far post.

The pressure from GFC was starting to build, with Rihoy slipping over when through on a wet pitch that saw players lose their footing all game, although when Allen went down under pressure soon after, it looked like he had been fouled.

Parsons, however, waved away the penalty appeals that would become more frequent and obvious as the afternoon wore on.

Allen ensured the first half ended as it had begun by testing Di Bernardo. But for a keeper of his excellence, it was a routine save down low to his right-hand side.

Vance's half-time team talk would surely have been something along the lines of, 'more of the same please lads', but whatever the plans, they were hit hard within 40 seconds of the restart.

GFC again looked to play from the back, but this time Isabelle sliced away his clearance and that allowed Jones to put in Tom Burton, whose initial effort was superbly saved by Tardif's chest.

But Burton made no mistake with the rebound to make it 1-0.

That turned the tables briefly and for the next 15 minutes or so, GFC were under the cosh big time as Peacehaven threatened to extend their lead and Tardif was called upon brilliantly to deny Burton again.

After that storm passed, though, the pendulum swung back GFC's way and for the remaining half-hour, they absolutely dominated and should have had a penalty when Matt Loaring was caught by Steve Metcalfe.

The foul was as clear as day and a stonewall spot-kick, but Parsons again waved away the appeals and then booked Loaring for his protestations.

Next came two glorious chances that required dramatic – and brilliant – Peacehaven defending on the line to keep them at bay, starting with Metcalfe denying Allen the leveller.

From the resulting corner the ball fell to Jordan and after he beat one and shot powerfully goalwards, it was matched by a quite stunning diving clearance.

That goal was leading a charmed life and even more so on 72min. when Parsons finally gave GFC a big decision and handed them a penalty for a Metcalfe handball from Allen's shot.

Of the three shouts, it was ironically the least obviously, but it gave Allen the chance for his 51st goal of the season – only for his low shot to be saved comfortably by Di Bernardo.

Marc McGrath was sent on soon after as Vance threw more attacking options at the league leaders. And just minutes after coming on, with time fast ticking away, McGrath had a glorious chance.

But if Di Bernardo's initial save to deny Rihoy was smart, then the follow-up to claw away McGrath's rebound header from its destination of the bottom corner was sensational.

You sensed it just wasn't to be GFC's day and, as it proved, that was their final chance to salvage something, despite Jon Marzetti's red card reducing Peacehaven to 10 men.

As GFC looked to go forward from the back, Loaring span Marzetti and when he was clipped, the already booked right-back was always going to receive his second yellow and the subsequent red.

However, the ball still wouldn't drop for a deserved equaliser and in the final minute, the scoreline was given an even more unfair reflection when the men-per-side stats were levelled.

Mackay tried to turn away from Gargan under pressure from a long ball and was dispossessed and when the striker got goal-side, there was always going to be problems.

Whether or not the contact from Mackay on Gargan to bring him down was substantial is open to debate, as was whether he was the last man, but Parsons thought yes on both counts and awarded the penalty.

A red card for Mackay followed and it allowed substitute Callum Saunders to step up and send Tardif the wrong way to seal three points that puts Peacehaven within touching distance of the title.

Their celebrations at full-time suggested they know Ryman Premier football is now imminent, but it would take a brave man to bet against them being joined in promotion by GFC.

TEAMS

Peacehaven & Telscombe: Di Bernardo, Marzetti, Ray, Richards, Metcalfe, Lawley (Saunders 81), McLaughlin, Cotton, Jones, Burton (Brotherton 84), Gargan.

Guernsey FC: Tardif, de la Mare, Mackay, Isabelle, Martin (McGrath 79), Black, Jordan, Loaring, Heaume, Rihoy, Allen.

Referee: G. Parsons.