Guernsey FC knocked out on dreaded spot kicks
PENALTY heartbreak saw Guernsey FC eliminated from the FA Cup last night, but Tony Vance says he is still 'positive' and 'excited' about the season.
After the Green Lions battled out another draw with Thamesmead Town in their preliminary round tie – this time 1-1 in the UK – it was the hosts who prevailed 4-2 from the penalty spot.
Visiting manager Vance admitted he did not see the misses from Jamie Dodd or Dom Heaume – or even Simon Geall and Alex Le Prevost's successful efforts – as he retired to the dressing room rather than watch the shoot-out.
Nonetheless, he was pleased with his side's efforts, which included a debut for teenager Tom Dodds and also appearances for Seb Smeed, Jacob Fallaize and Seb Skillen for lengthy spells from the bench.
'To draw twice and go all the way to penalties shows that we were pretty evenly-matched, but I thought that we played the better football over both games,' said Vance afterwards.
'But when it gets into being an English style of football like that, we can sometimes be susceptible and that has shown in the past.
'However, to play as well as we did bodes well for the season, particularly with three 17-year-olds and a 20-year-old on the pitch, so I am really pleased with how the evening went, how we played and the way we are going.'
Full match report and more reaction in Wednesdays Guernsey Press.
