Green Lions take on table-toppers
THE Green Lions face their biggest test yet in Isthmian South Central tonight as the leaders come to Footes Lane.
Guernsey FC manager Tony Vance is under no illusions as to the threat posed by Bracknell Town, who he described as a one of the ‘big-hitters’ at step four of the non-league pyramid.
‘Reality will set in for everybody – they will be one of the best teams we have played,’ Vance said.
‘From what I can gather, they have got a huge budget, they have got ex-pros in their team and they are rightly top of the league, so we are going to have to be at our very best.
‘I would urge football fans to come and watch the game because it’s going to be some contest.’
Bracknell are top of the table courtesy of nine wins and a draw from their 11 games, scoring 23 goals in the process.
‘I have not seen them, but I know a fair bit about their style of play and how they operate from speaking to others and, by all accounts, they are very good at what they do,’ said the GFC boss.
‘We need to be respectful but not fearful. We have got some very good players in our team, some of who are new to this and it will be a good test for them.
‘I do like a challenge. I like to step up and take on these sort of teams and see if little old Guernsey can compete with them.’
Vance admitted that, in an ideal world, he would like to be taking on the league leaders with GFC having had more games under their belt.
Following the pandemic-induced delayed start to their campaign, this is GFC’s seventh competitive fixture with little or no pre-season to speak of.
‘Any XI can beat any XI on their day. It’s about if we are physically and mentally ready for it,’ Vance said.
‘We are about a 70min. team against ordinary sides at the moment, so let’s see what we are against one of the big-hitters.’
This will be GFC’s fifth successive home match, with a return of five points from the previous four seen as unsatisfactory by Vance.
That run began with a 2-0 win over bottom-side Northwood following by a narrow 2-1 defeat to Tooting & Mitcham before back-to-back 2-2 draw against Thatcham Town and Westfield.
‘I’m not going to lie, I’m disappointed because in all three games [we did not win] we were in winning positions, but it’s the harsh reality of where we are,’ Vance said.
‘You do not need to be a genius to work out that teams have comeback at us in the latter stages of games and mental as well as physical fatigue will have played a part in that.
‘This year was always going to be one of finding our feet again to a degree as well as managing expectations.’
The early team news yesterday was that Tom Martin is doubtful for GFC but they have no new injury concerns.
Guernsey FC v. Bracknell Town kicks off at 7.45pm at Footes Lane.
