Vance happy with rusty Green Lions

Their only pre-season game resulted in a deserved 2-0 victory for Worthing from the Isthmian Premier, who looked less challenged by the hot conditions at Footes Lane and far more readied for a full-on campaign than the Green Lions.

But the GFC coach was happy enough with the performance.

‘When you consider the level they are playing at and the number of games they’ve had in pre-season, I thought we did well,’ Vance said.

‘I was most pleased that the three phases we’ve been working on in training, the players did well with.’

GFC played a low-block throughout, happy to concede territory and hoped to hit the visitors on the break.

Very largely, the tactic worked and had debutant Will Fazakerley put away a golden double chance on 70min. when the game was still goal-less, it might have been Jamie Dodd lifting the Mike Thomas Memorial Cup at the final whistle.

Fazakerley was afforded a full 90 and had his moments, but he really should have scored at that potentially decisive juncture, either with his first effort – saved – or the follow-up, hit into the side netting.

Carlos Canha also got a 26min. run-out in the second half and impressed with a couple of nice touches, but was miserably guilty when it came to man-marking David Aioboye at a late corner, which the flying winger had a free run at to head home and clinch the honours.

That second came just five minutes after Worthing’s other talented winger, Jared Rance, headed home from close range to beat the superb Cal Stanton.

The importance of Stanton was obvious all afternoon, as he made a string of top saves and kept the dominant Reds at bay.

Fazakerley and Dave Rihoy both went close with first-half headers, but with a number of squad regulars missing it was a naturally rusty effort by the Green Lions.