Guernsey FC beaten again as Ashford Town win ‘their cup final’

Tony Vance’s side went into the fixture just a point behind the also out-of-form Ashford and victory for the Green Lions on their return to Footes Lane would have seen them rise up to 12th in the league.

The hosts got off to a nightmare start, though, as Wayne Ridgley picked up the ball just inside Guernsey’s half and fired past Lucas Hanley from 35 yards out to give his side the lead in the third minute.

Ashford continued to dominate the early exchanges and tricky winger Ethan Hellyer had a penalty shout turned down just moments after seemingly being tripped in the box.

Forwards David Pitt and Daniel Brown were also causing the GFC backline problems and the latter went close to doubling his side’s advantage in the 17th minute, but keeper Hanley was equal to his effort from close range.

The strikers continued to test Guernsey, both having further opportunities to score midway through the first half, and in the 32nd minute Daniel Brown would eventually get on the scoresheet to double Ashford’s lead.

Ethan Hellyer burst past Tom Dodds to get in on goal before Jacob Fallaize intervened to block the winger’s effort, but the ball fell kindly for Hellyer once more and this time he would make no mistake, sliding across goal to give Brown a tap-in at the back post.

The Green Lions began to get a foothold on the game towards the end of the first period, as Ross Allen’s free-kick on the stroke of half-time was deflected just wide of McNally’s goal, before Will Fazakerley and Jacob Fallaize both went close with headed efforts.

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In the second half it was GFC who took control, allowing the visitors very few opportunities to put the game out of sight before getting a goal back in the 61st minute via the skipper.

Dave Rihoy drilled a corner low towards Ross Allen, and while the top-scorer’s attempt was blocked in the box, the ball fell to captain Jamie Dodd who struck into the bottom corner with a right-footed effort to bring GFC back into the game.

Vance’s side continued to sustain pressure on the Ashford back line, although clear-cut chances were few and far between with the visitors continuing to hold firm towards the final minutes.

The GFC manager introduced young Keene Domaille in the 83rd minute as a final roll of the dice, but GFC’s best chances continued to come from the long throw of Jamie Dodd and the visitors went up the other end and nearly sealed their win via a long-range Hellyer effort that hit the crossbar.

Ashford’s two first-half strikes would be enough to see them home 2-1, though, as Guernsey could not complete their comeback in the dying minutes, meaning the visitors climb up to 12th and go four points clear of the Green Lions.

‘First half they were very dominant, physically we were not at the races at all, very much second best, I don’t think anybody could look their opponent in the eye and say they were better than them,’ said Vance.

‘We were well beaten in that first period, second half we did step up and that’s the standard that we need to be at.

‘It’s their cup final coming to Guernsey, they were very excited and feel as if they’ve got a massive win when I don’t think it really is.

‘We’re the team everyone wants to beat, for some unknown reason, but I hope they enjoyed their trip.

‘We’re not at the level that we need to be at, but we’ll get there,’ added the manager.