Guernsey Press

New-look attack excites Vance

THE Footes Lane return is some weeks away, but Tony Vance is licking his lips at his side’s revived exciting attacking potential, the likes of which Green Lions fans haven’t seen in several seasons.

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Making the difference: Ross Allen is no more than 75% fit says his coach, but he already has three goals to his name this season. (Picture by ESA Photos, 25655527)

With already nine goals in four away games banked in the goals for column, GFC sit in an encouraging 11th place.

By the time GFC run out in front of their home crowd, probably against VCD Athletic on 6 October, Vance hopes the early-season rustiness will have rubbed off and the goals will be flowing fully from his new-look attack.

‘Ross has just come back from New Zealand and we all know about Ross Allen. He’s getting there – he’s not quite at full tilt yet. He doesn’t know Faz [Will Fazakerley] – he’s never played with or met him before – and the same with Carlos [Canha].

‘I think Ross and Carlos are on the same level in terms of football ability, intelligence and movement and they can develop an exciting bond.

‘The thing about Ross is that he brings goals. He has got three in four for us so far and he’s only 75% fit.

‘But what he also does bring is this ability to look after the football, which means we can now build attacks. In the last two years it’s been coming back at us too quickly from that final third. Unfortunately, that’s why we have conceded a lot of goals.’

And, says the coach, there are now third, fourth, fifth and sixth attacking options.

‘Ross being the new “go-to” man will also benefit “Faz” because we can start using his different assets to our advantage.

‘Add in Robbie Legg and you see why we are trying to play more expansively.

‘But, at the same time, we need pace in behind and that’s where Robbie and Paris [Pereira] come in.’

Throw in Charlton Gauvain when he finally reappears towards the end of the year, and the attacking element of the side looks very healthy, especially as it has now been supplemented by the arrival of 16-year-old Alex Scott, who made his debut as a sub at Phoenix Sports.

‘Young Alex, when he came on, I thought he was fantastic. They tried to ruffle him up and he just pushed them off. He looked a real player. We’ve known that’s in the locker, but for him to come on in a difficult game I had every confidence in him because I see him in training.

‘He is going to be a fantastic asset for us and he blends in nicely with the movement that we’ve got now.’

GFC have this weekend off before hitting the road again to Ramsgate on Saturday week.