Super-sub proves Mauger influence in late show

Guernsey 2, South Kilburn 1

CHRIS MAUGER was the unlikely hero for Guernsey FC as they moved closer to the CCL Division One league title with a late victory over South Kilburn at Footes Lane.

Poised at 1-1 and with two minutes left, Mauger had only been on the pitch moments when he was on hand to bundle over from close range.

It was incredibly harsh on an excellent South Kilburn, who defied their lowly league position to produce arguably the best visiting performance on the island this season.

And after their own substitute Luke Mason had cancelled out Glyn Dyer's first-minute header, they created chances and could have gone back to London with three points.

As it is, the Green Lions are now within just three wins of the title after a day which also saw Bedfont Sports scrape a victory at Westfield.

With fog problems delaying the game to a 7pm kick-off and GFC's first competitive floodlit game, it was the home side who stormed into life.

Just 26 seconds were on the clock when Ross Allen's delightful curling cross from the left-hand touchline picked Dyer out perfectly at the far post.

The little forward rose perfectly to head back across Kilburn keeper Christopher Christie and into the far corner.

The perfect start, but any hopes it would be a stroll in the park were quashed by a Kilburn side for whom this was clearly their cup final.

While GFC still created chances to double their tally, the visitors also looked good going forward, although yet to cause home keeper Paul de Garis any alarm.

Their hopes looked to be hindered by the departure of Melford Simpson, who limped off early on after picking up an injury in a tackle with Tom Strawbridge.

It was a blessing in disguise for the Londoners, with replacement Luke Mason their best player on the night, his trickiness a difficulty for the GFC defence to handle.

With the changed start time depriving GFC of Chris Tardif and Jamie Dodd, it gave de Garis and Strawbridge starts and the latter in particular made the most of his.

Although Dyer got the man-of-the-match award for a lively display, it was Strawbridge who really shone at centre-back, not putting a foot wrong all evening in a magnificent performance.

The home fans were grateful for that, as they were watching a team once again sloppy in possession, clearly missing the suspended Ryan-Zico Black, allowing Kilburn a foothold into the contest.

Their best opportunity came on 38min., when a ball into the path of Keron Thomas just eluded Strawbridge and the tricky winger was through on goal.

His effort was weak and although it beat de Garis, the ball did not have enough legs on it and the retreating Cochrane was able to clear off the line.

Despite not being at their best, the home side were still creating chances, with Dave Rihoy having the best, sliding wide from close range.

Christie had to be alert to acrobatically tip over Dyer's 30-yarder that would have been a candidate for goal of the season, while the Kilburn stopper made an even better stop in the half's closing stages.

Allen got to the byline under pressure and pulled back powerfully for Dom Heaume's tap-in which looked certain to score, only for Christie to stick out his right leg and make a wonderful reaction stop.

It was Kilburn who ended the half by forcing de Garis into a smart save from Volodymyr Osypiv's effort and the visitors continued that momentum after the break.

De Garis had been quick off his line for set-pieces all game and while he was generally sound, one fatal error led to the equaliser on 48min.

Leroy Shepherd's long throw-ins were a weapon and as de Garis came to punch this one clear he missed it, allowing Mason to tap into the open net from all of five yards.

That stunned the crowd and noticeably lifted the visitors, who suddenly believed they could win it, while their fitness also lasted, cutting the number of GFC chances down as a result.

But Allen still had his moments, most noticeably when he expertly latched onto a sublime Angus Mackay crossfield ball to bear down on goal.

He beat Nathan Johnson and although he appeared to be tripped, Allen stayed on his feet and Christie was able to close down the shot.

Allen had another strong shout for a penalty when Johnson once again appeared to manhandle him, while a GFC free-kick for handball looked as though it was inside and should have been a spot-kick.

But those half-scares aside, Kilburn were not giving any freebies and GFC threw their fifth attacker on the pitch midway through, with Matt Loaring on for Scott Bradford.

That naturally left more gaps to exploit in the centre of the park and a swift counter-attack saw Mason cut inside onto his left foot and come within inches of beating de Garis at his near post.

Allen must of thought he had won it on 84min. when his fine backwards header from a whipped Rihoy corner forced another stunning reaction stop from Christie at his near post.

With all that attacking quality now on the pitch, it was inevitable one final chance was going to be made although when it came, it was the two full-backs that won the game.

The more attack-minded Mauger had been thrown on for Simon Geall, but not even he could have believed that he would be the matchwinner 90 seconds later.

On the left-hand side, Ollie McKenzie received the ball and with his side needing something special, he surged down the touchline, beat two defenders and entered the penalty area.

A good cross was needed and provided, hanging the ball perfectly under the angle of far post and crossbar, forcing Christie to parry back into play.

In a crowd of legs, it was Mauger who forced the ball over the line for the crucial three points, which brings his side's promotion party closer.