Guernsey Press

Valuable point for Guernsey FC in Kent

Hythe Town 1, Guernsey FC 1

Published

WITH all of the injury problems they are experiencing, it would have taken a brave person to predict that Guernsey FC's promotion hopes would be enhanced on their latest midweek away trip.

However, after another excellent point was achieved on the road in Kent, that is exactly what happened for the Green Lions as results elsewhere made their hard-earned draw look even more satisfying.

Merstham's defeat at Sittingbourne enhanced GFC's top five status, but this performance in itself from a young Lions side was particularly encouraging and bodes well for the increasing challenges they have ahead in the next couple of weeks.

It is very nearly possible right now to name a strong XI from those on the treatment table or, in this instance, unavailable, but this performance and result proved that this GFC squad has enviable depth to it.

Despite having a new-look back five and midfield, they also continued to play the 'Guernsey way' and some of their free-flowing passing from the back was great to watch, as they were the polar opposite to Hythe's agricultural style of play that saw the hosts pick up four cautions.

In fairness to Hythe, it worked pretty effectively in a cracking game of football to watch, as both sides looked to attack in their own ways from the outset and either side could have taken the win, had they been that bit more clinical.

GFC will rue that they could not nick a winner amid some notable late pressure, particularly as Luke Winch came off the bench for his return and looked excellent.

But in the cold light of day, this was a point gained as eyes inevitably wander between various grounds at this late point of the season, although there was no reason to look elsewhere on this particular occasion.

Ross Allen's hugely fortuitous strike was quickly cancelled out by Shaun Welford in a hectic spell at the start of the second half, but there had already been plenty of entertainment prior to the end of the goalless first half.

From the off, GFC were looking to play their brand of football and it could have got its rewards when Matt Loaring's deflected effort looped just over, while Allen also tested home keeper Dan Eason.

At the other end, the centre-back pairing of Jacques Isabelle and captain Angus Mackay coped well with Hythe's aerial bombardment, although keeper Tom Creed had to be alert to make a couple of smart stops.

But it was not until after the midway point of the half that the first gilt-edged chance was spurned, as Morrish headed down into the ground but wide of the near post from close range after a pinpoint cross.

Craig Thompson also should have done better when he was one-on-one with Creed in the half's other brilliant opening, but screwed poorly across goal from a tight angle and squandered the chance.

Any thoughts the game might continue to be goalless did not last long into the second half, though, as Allen struck after 48min., finding some space to run into for one of the first occasions of the game.

Some 25 yards out, he shot goalwards but with an effort that Eason had covered, until it hit Craig Cloke and shot into the opposite corner to where it was intended – 1-0 to the visitors.

No sooner had that happened than it was level again on 53min.

Sam Bewick fired a low through ball towards Welford and although GFC right-back Simon Geall looked to have intercepted it on the slide, he could not keep it and the loose ball popped out to Welford, who fired across Creed to make it 1-1.

That opened the game up significantly and it was played at breakneck pace for the remainder, with Rhys Jordan forcing a save out of Eason and Ryan-Zico Black having a penalty shout turned home when he went down in the area.

Winch was introduced soon after and the stretched game suited his strengths perfectly, as he looked to run at the home defence wherever possible, causing Hythe to backtrack on a number of occasions.

His best moment saw him burst past full-back John Walker into the area, but only for Eason to be quickly off his line to thwart the opportunity with some smart goalkeeping.

Nothing came close to the opportunity in the dying stages for the visitors to go home with all three points, though, as Tom de la Mare unwittingly denied Loaring a winner that would have been so critical in this tight promotion race.

Winch's pass set Allen away and once he got to the byline he pulled back across to Loaring, who turned goalwards and, with everybody beaten, de la Mare was unlucky to get in the way and turn his teammate's effort behind.

TEAMS

Hythe Town: Eason, Walker, Cloke, Lye, Osborne, Collado, Andrews, Morrish, Burchell (Bewick 29), Welford, Thompson.

Guernsey FC: Creed, Geall, Mackay, Isabelle, Alvarez, de la Mare, Black, Jordan, Loaring, McGrath (Winch 69), Allen.

Referee: N. Dunn.

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