Veteran Rihoy a new rival for right-back De La Mare
TOM DE LA MARE returns to the Guernsey FC squad tonight but he has got a new rival for the right-back spot, one who few could imagine would play in the ‘2’ shirt the last time GFC had a home match, a remarkable 46 days ago.
His name is Dave Rihoy, for years one of the most skilful forwards in the Channel Islands but now into his twilight years as a top player.
Vance started him again at right-back at Hastings United last weekend before a tactical switch saw him move into central midfield.
But the GFC boss has no qualms about Rihoy playing there.
‘Dave’s one of those who can play anywhere. He is football intelligent, he’s got pace and he’s got a good leap. He has got all the attributes.
‘Earlier in the season we tried him as a holding midfielder and he took to that like a duck to water.’
Vance names a full strength 16-man squad with Charlton Gauvain and de la Mare returning to the group that went to Hastings.
‘It gives us more options with those two players coming back,’ said Vance, who wants to avenge the home defeat by East Grinstead last season and the one suffered at their ground back in September.
East Grinstead Town arrive sitting one spot below GFC in the table, but they have also proved hard to beat lately.
Wasps’ manager Matt Longhurst last week made two signings and he was particularly pleased to wrap up the signature of midfielder Lee Prescott from Hornchurch in the Bostick Premier League.
‘I have been trying to get Lee to sign here for a couple of seasons as I genuinely believe he has the ability, energy and attitude to be the best midfield player at this level.’
Comfortable 3-0 winners over GFC back in September, the Wasps have been going well with only one defeat in the last six and that was against the team many consider the champions elect, Cray Wanderers.
Four of those games have been draws.
The Wasps also last week added forward Jerson Dos Santos, who returned to the club from Carlshalton on a season-long loan.
‘Jerson is one of the most highly rated forward players at this level and again shows the intention of the club on and off the pitch, building a squad with such talented players.’
When the two sides met in Sussex earlier this campaign the Green Lions paid dearly for not taking their chances when on top.
‘First half, we were very strong,’ the GFC coach said at the time.
‘For 30-35 minutes we controlled the game, played some fantastic football and we had them defending in their half, our centre-halves were sort of beyond the half-way line so it showed a sort of dominance we had of the football. But the only thing missing was the end product.’
Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
GFC squad: Cal Stanton, Keanu Marsh, Jamie Dodd (capt), Frank Tobin, Thomas Dodds, Glyn Dyer, Liam Mahon, Dave Rihoy, Carlos Canha, Paris Pereira, Seb Skillen, Matt Loaring, Will Fazakerley, Kyle Smith, Tom de la Mare and Charlton Gauvain.
