Green Lions on the up after crucial victory
Three points meant three places for Guernsey FC last night as they climbed away from the Isthmian South Central relegation zone into 16th with an important 5-3 win over fellow strugglers Chipstead at Footes Lane.
In such a big game, it was no surprise either that, barring the own goal which broke the deadlock, the goals came from GFC’s big-game players with Ross Allen netting a brace while Charlton Gauvain and Matt Loaring were also on target.
The Green Lions were thoroughly deserving winners, although they tried to make life more difficult for themselves than it needed to be by conceding two needless goals in the space of three minutes midway through the second half having built up a comfortable four-goal cushion.
However, Loaring volleyed home a fifth goal with 10 minutes remaining to ensure victory, making Chipstead’s third, scored by Jack Leahy from the penalty spot deep into injury time, a mere consolation.
‘It’s nice because ultimately we’re playing a team in and around us, but we’re now on 23, so I see it as probably 15, 17 points to go and then I think we can we can all pat ourselves on the shoulder,’ said GFC manager Tony Vance.
‘At the moment we’re still in a bit of a fight, so I am realistic. I’m going to keep my feet down on the ground.
‘I’m going to enjoy tonight’s three points, enjoy the performance as well because I thought it was good, but there’s a long way to go yet.’
The home side had already created three decent chances before they took the lead on 21min. when Ben Solway, employed as a right-back on this occasion, overlapped down the wing and swung in a dangerous cross that retreating defender Daniel Vaughan could only divert into his own net.
Two minutes later, Owen Wallbridge cleverly got his body between the ball and Nathaniel Kenlock, who bundled over the young forward in the penalty box, and Allen dispatched the spot kick with minimal fuss.
GFC made their first-half dominance count with a third on the stroke of half-time.
It was a well-worked move that began deep inside their own half and culminated in Gauvain racing through one-on-one with Harrison Firth and competently beating the goalkeeper.
Seven minutes into the second half, Allen thumped home the fourth with a first-time left-footed shot into the roof of the net from Loaring’s pull back to seemingly make the game safe.
However, avoidable goals scored by Daniel Berry and Jordy Ndozid gave Chipstead a glimmer of hope with 20 minutes to go before Loaring eased any nerves with his well-taken strike.
