'Grown-up' Lions gain their revenge

As Ross Allen confirmed a third win in six with an outstanding stoppage time clincher, the Green Lions showed a maturity and confidence not seen at Footes Lane for a long while to beat a team who thrashed them 6-0 on the banks of the Thames and who harbour strong promotion hopes.

The possibility of relegation is now a forgotten blob in club history.

Will Fazakerley had given Guernsey FC a half-time lead with a header with the 45 up on the clock and, in the second half, comfortably kept Marlow at bay before Allen’s crackerjack free-kick from distance just before the end.

At just 17 years of age, new GFC keeper Lucas Hanley performed like a seasoned veteran, while ahead of him skipper Jamie Dodd marshalled his side expertly and, to his right, Jacob Fallaize was fantastic.

Assistant coach Steve Sharman spoke excitedly afterwards as to the excellence of the performance.

‘That was a really grown-up, mature display and it is not always we can say that.

‘We said last week when we beat Thatcham that our fitness levels were high, our confidence was high and competition for places good, and then we come home and on a difficult surface and against a team that spanked us and really rubbed it in our face over there, we played in a really mature manner.’

Sharman picked out Fallaize for his towering man-of-the-match display.

‘As for Ross, he’s an absolute machine, he bullied two centre backs and then gets a goal like that.’

• Match report in Monday's Guernsey Press.