Hainsworth brings GFC class to KGV as champions close on leaders

Rovers closed to within two points of leaders Vale Rec with a 4-2 win over North at the KGV on Saturday and as coach Kevin Gillease alluded to afterwards, it should have been even more comprehensive, with his side having created a host of other clear-cut chances.

'It was a typical game coming back after the Christmas break, littered with mistakes, but ultimately I thought we fully deserved the win,' he said.

'I was pleased in the end. I thought we played really well.

'It should have been more comfortable, but fair play to their young keeper [Ollie Miller]. Some of the saves he made were outstanding. I don't know how many it was, it must have been six or seven.

'But we're creating the chances and it's a massive three points for us.'

Max Simpson-Cohen scored twice for Rovers and Martin Savident was also on target after Niall Hainsworth, available due to Guernsey FC's match being postponed, opening the scoring after he came into the starting XI at the 11th hour.

'James Grundy wasn't very well, so I was waiting for confirmation from him and Blair [Howitt],' Gillease said.

'Take those two out in the middle and obviously with George Clayton filling in at right back at the moment, we thought it was a good opportunity to put in Niall and just give us a bit of stability. I thought he was brilliant.'

Earlier, St Martin's had beaten Alderney 5-0, scoring four in the first half.

'The five goals we scored, I thought we worked them all really well,' said Saints coach Leon Meakin.

'Our levels dropped off second half, massively, but I think the game was won at half-time and we went through the motions a bit.'

• Reports in Monday's Guernsey Press