Warning: It’s going to get uglier

Guernsey FC were taught exactly what it means to be in a relegation battle in their 3-1 defeat at Whitstable Town on Saturday that leaves them 18th in the table, just two points above Greenwich Borough.

‘I said before the game that we’re in a relegation battle and that 90 minutes proved it,’ said Vance to GFC TV.

‘It was a horrible, ugly game, they were incredibly pumped up and, to be honest, we were probably quite fortunate to not be down after the first 10 minutes.

‘They threw the kitchen sink at us from the off, they were having a real go with the wind and the way the pitch slopes here.’

GFC withstood that initial onslaught and nicked a half-time lead through Matt Loaring’s penalty, but then succumbed to goals from Stuart West, Harry Stannard and Stephen Smith after the break.

‘We were under no illusions that in the second half they were going to have another go because they are playing for their lives,’ Vance said.

‘It was one of those games where if the players didn’t know what a relegation battle was, then today they found out.’

GFC now face crucial matches away to 15th-placed Herne Bay and at home to 16th-placed Faversham Town in the next fortnight.

‘We’ve got eight games left and, without looking to repeat myself, if the players don’t know what a relegation battle is like then we’d better get used to this because next week at Herne Bay is going to be exactly the same.

‘It’s going to be an ugly game, the pitches are in that condition where football can’t really be played much so we’ve got to stand up to the fight and more.

‘We’ve slipped down and a little bit more pressure has been put on us. That game next week against Herne Bay becomes even more important.

‘We’ve found ourselves in this relegation battle, it’s kind of bizarre how it came about because we were looking fairly comfortable a month or so ago, but our poor home form has put us in this situation and we’ve got to face the reality that we are in that fight and we’ve got to get ready for it.’