Guernsey Press

Rihoy caps outstanding display with crucial goal

Redhill 0, Guernsey FC 1

Published

SUCCESSFULLY withstanding severe late pressure at arguably the most critical point of this season saw Guernsey FC put their Ryman South play-off bid firmly on track.

The Green Lions have recorded some far heavier margins of victory in their history, but few wins will be as satisfying as this for Tony Vance as his side showed tremendous character to record their first win in six games.

In the end, it was Dave Rihoy's strike with virtually the last kick of the first half that was key.

But in reality, it was the defensive resilience that his side showed that will have particularly pleased the GFC manager.

Rihoy's goal aside, the visitors created little in the way of clear-cut openings and, indeed, most of the genuine chances fell to the hosts. Nevertheless, GFC's performance was encouraging on a night when they had to scrap out the three points.

All over the park there were strong performances, although Rihoy's efforts certainly did stand out as he produced a magnificent individual display, comfortably his best of this season.

Jamie Dodd and Sam Cochrane were exceptional as the centre-back pairing and, behind them, Chris Tardif was his usual brilliant self and covered himself in more glory with another vital late save, his second of the night.

Tom de la Mare and Kieran Mahon also impressed in busy displays in the centre midfield diamond, in which Rihoy operated as the brilliant tip.

That was at the end of a frantic late spell that saw Redhill knock repeatedly on the door without reward and, as frustrations boiled over, their temper got the better of them with numerous bookings, including a couple after the final whistle.

It was something of a shame that a cracking game became bad-tempered later on.

But with Redhill battling relegation, it was no surprise that passions would run high on both sides and GFC ended with the ultimate put-down of a victory.

But they certainly had to fight for it.

The opening exchanges were frantic without anything coming of it, at either end. And the first chance – and what could be argued as the best of the night – was squandered by Richmond Kissi after 9min.

He should have given the hosts the lead but dragged wide of Tardif's far post from a great position, while the same man blasted high and wide after doing the hard work of beating Cochrane soon after.

Rihoy dragged wide in GFC's first real attempt on goal, but it was no more than a half-chance at best, although it was an encouraging sign for the Sarnians at the end of their most free-flowing move of the night by that point.

But none of those came close to the opportunity missed by Gavin Gordon after 43min. as he beat Cochrane for strength to get through on goal but after opening his body to guide home, he found Tardif an impossible obstacle to beat as the GFC No. 1 spread himself and saved superbly with his body.

Niall Egan squandered the follow-up effort and, by the end of first half stoppage time, he would live to regret that as GFC got the goal that could prove massive in their bid for a third successive promotion.

A short corner routine between Marc McGrath and Rihoy was well worked and after McGrath slid through two defenders to Rihoy, the man without a goal for quite some time, drove excellently into the far corner – 1-0.

The half-time whistle blew as soon as play was restarted and the first action of the second period saw Jacques Isabelle booked for a retaliatory push, leaving him walking the proverbial tightrope as it wore on.

He was fortunate on a couple of occasions afterwards, although Luke Winch was the man targeted for much of Redhill's ire and to his credit, handled it well and continued to run at Jack Hope at every opportunity.

Winch did spurn a couple of half-chances created by his own pace and drive, although it was Tardif's goal that was put under some threat in the final few moments which must have seemed like an eternity for GFC's fans.

Kissi's header across goal found Marcus Elliott completely unmarked with just 3min. remaining and when he looked certain to score, he was thwarted by a great reaction block from Tardif.

With stoppage time close to being completed, Kissi then missed an even better chance, miskicking straight into Tardif's grateful arms from all of six yards out. And with that, GFC's success was confirmed.

TEAMS

Redhill: Greaves, Duke (Abbott 64), Goldsmith (Sousa-Mota 67), Hope, Hill, Egan, Difford, Holness, Bingham, Gordon (Elliott 60), Kissi.

Guernsey FC: Tardif, Geall, Cochrane, Dodd, Isabelle, Mahon, Jordan (Steel 85), de la Mare, Rihoy, McGrath, Winch.

Referee: A. Dine.

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