GFC to start league season on the road
GUERNSEY FC host their final pre-season friendly this afternoon as they play Hartley Wintney for the Mike Thomas Trophy.
Today’s opponents are members of the Southern League Premier South, meaning they play their football one tier above the Green Lions.
‘I am looking forward to it, they are going to present us with a massive challenge which gives us the opportunity to learn,’ said GFC boss Tony Vance, who will be back in the dugout for the fixture.
‘I am not sure we are fully ready to play a team of Hartley Wintney’s level, however it is a good chance for us to take some shots on the chin and really prepare for the start of the season.
‘This is the closest we have had to a full side and having more players available means we can be competitive in this game.
‘We are still missing Ross Allen, Will Fazakerley, Charlton Gauvain and a couple of others, but we do have Jamie Dodd just coming back into the group, which is a huge bonus.’
The Corbet Field friendly, which kicks off at 2.30pm, comes two days after the club announced that their first league game against Thatcham Town on Saturday 13 August will now take place away from home to allow the Footes Lane ground staff more time to prepare the pitch ahead of the campaign. There are also works taking place ahead of the 2023 Island Games, which means GFC would not be able to accommodate supporters behind the goals.
‘It would have been nice to start at home for the first time in many years, but I do not think it changes anything as we have to play everyone home and away at some point,’ Vance said.
