The Moneys cash in against depleted Green Lions

Ever since ‘The Moneys’ scored twice late on to beat the Green Lions 5-4 at Footes Lane on the last Saturday of November – in a game which GFC should have won at a canter – they have been the form side in Isthmian South Central and Saturday’s 4-1 win in the reverse fixture at the John Jenkins Stadium was an eighth victory in a row for the hosts, their ninth in 10 from the games bookended by GFC fixtures.

In that time, they have climbed from 16th to sixth in the table, one place outside the play-offs.

It was no wonder that they started confidently against GFC, who only had 12 players available to travel and used UK-based goalkeeper Lucas Hanley for the first time since April 2022.

James Franklyn put Moneyfields ahead in the 14th minute when he knocked in the rebound after Hanley had saved from Ciaran Martin and home captain Callum Laycock doubled their advantage when he turned in a low cross at the near post.

GFC had the chance to reduce their arrears from a penalty on the hour after Brandon Wallace was fouled, but Callum Smart saved captain-for-the-day Charlton Gauvain’s spot kick.

Seven minutes later Simon Arnold did halve the deficit when he fired in his first goal for GFC, but Moneyfields quickly restored a two-goal cushion through Lawrence Cooper and substitute Jafer Mahammedkier completed the scoring in the 90th minute.

One positive for GFC was the return of Tom Vaudin after a lengthy spell on the sidelines on a day when none of the bottom eight sides in the league picked up any points.