Guernsey FC deservedly recorded their second home win of the season on Saturday as goals from Charlton Gauvain and Ross Allen inflicted a 2-0 defeat on Northwood.
However, following a dominant first-half performance, the GFC manager admitted his side should have been out of sight by the interval and added that it’s ‘always the risk’ that not taking their chances could come back to bite them.
‘We had them on the ropes, we were jabbing, we just needed that knockout blow,’ said Vance of that opening 45 minutes, which eventually reaped the reward of Gauvain’s expertly-taken goal.
‘Ultimately we deserved the three points and I’m glad it wasn’t one of those that got away, it would have been a missed opportunity for us,’ added the manager.
Allen’s strike on the hour secured the three points, although the goal came in controversial circumstances with Northwood convinced that Gauvain had fouled defender Ryan Avery in the build-up.
Vance agreed that the opposition had a case.
‘I would have been disappointed [in their shoes], absolutely.
‘The only thing a lot of the lads were saying was that he, their defender, was looking at Charlton and trying to stop him, so probably the ref saw that, but definitely 99 times out of 100 that one is given, so I think we were lucky there.’
Gauvain collected the club’s man-of-the-match award for his outstanding display, although Vance was also keen to highlight the performances of two central midfielders in Thomas Dodds and Kieran Mahon.
‘I thought Doddsy was excellent, I thought he was a real pain and he would have annoyed me if I was playing against him,’ said Vance.
‘Him and Kez are so vital to that team, they break so much down and that’s three games in a row where Kez is being talked about so he’s very important for us.’
A return of six points from three games since their return to action this month is favourable and with the next three games all at home, GFC will be looking for the Footes Lane crowd to help them add to that tally in the coming weeks.
Vance added, though, that his squad are still some way off where they want to be in terms of their match fitness.
‘We are working hard, but still not into the swing of things.
‘When you think about it, the type of game we are trying to play on the ball and off the ball requires significant energy and dynamic effort and it’s probably the wrong choice to do given that we haven’t played for two years.
‘So when we get up to speed and we can keep the right players fit, a consistent group, we’ve got an opportunity I think, but at the moment the tactics – we are probably not ready for them, that’s why I keep saying we are not ready, but credit to the lads they keep trying to do it, they are just not quite there yet.’
The manager also warned that the fixtures get harder, too, starting with the visit of Tooting & Mitcham United on Sunday.
‘Next week will be tougher for sure, so that will be a different kettle of fish,’ Vance said.
‘I think that will be a real benchmark as to where we are because Chipstead away, we were not ready for that and they are pushing for play-offs. Tooting & Mitcham are mid-table so that should be a real tight game I think.
‘The crowd here have seen two... not comfortable wins because that is unfair, but we have done well because we have been allowed to do well.’
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