GFC still in need of points after defeat to Southall

Play-off chasing Southall inflicted another defeat on the Green Lions last night at Footes Lane, making it eight games without a win for Tony Vance’s men, who have picked up only a solitary point in that period, and they have now slipped to 18th in the table on goal difference.

However, the GFC manager took some solace from the improved performance of his side against the fourth-placed side in the league.

‘It’s all well and good me talking about how I was pleased with the performance and we did well, but we got nothing and it is about the results, so we’ve found ourselves in this in this position,’ Vance said.

‘We’ve still got a few bites at the cherry left, but what I do know is that if we play like that against the next couple of teams coming up, then we’ve got every chance of getting results, so that’s the best thing about it.

‘Binfield was a scrap and we dug in [to get a draw] and tonight we played well, we played how we can play.

‘But as I said we do need to get the results.’

GFC went toe-to-toe with Southall throughout the first half and were at least a match for the visitors, but in the final few seconds of the one minute of added time, Brendan Matthew collected a ball into the box from the left and finished cleverly to give his side the lead.

But the decisive period of play came seven minutes into the second half when at one end visiting goalkeeper Kojusolwa Abayomi made an excellent reaction save to deny Sam Murray from close range and within a minute Southall’s Romey Eccles-Meodad headed in Will Montague’s corner at the other end.

Matthew scored his second from another corner in the 73rd minute to secure all three points with a 3-0 scoreline.

‘I don’t think we deserve to lose, to be honest. I know it sounds silly,’ Vance said.

‘They were a good side, but I thought first half I really enjoyed our energy, our dynamism, I thought we were athletic, and we got into good areas. We had a couple of half chances, if you like, and we were definitely at least a match for them.

‘We switched off for the goal, which we spoke about before the game, unfortunately, and it was just one of those moments, you could see it happening and you’re thinking, “oh no, don’t let it happen” and it did.

‘Then the two set piece goals were poor from our point of view, but ultimately that was the difference between the two teams, really.

‘I thought we were half decent tonight and didn’t deserve to lose 3-0.’

Guernsey FC have home games to come against Northwood on Sunday and Hartley Wintney next Wednesday before finishing their league campaign away at Raynes Park Vale on Saturday 27 April.