The Green Lions host Bedfont Sports this afternoon in the extra-preliminary round of the iconic national knockout, with their attacking options bolstered by the addition of Cal Le Lacheur and Will Fazakerley to last season’s squad.
‘Both have been along to pre-season training and committed to it,’ said GFC Tony Vance.
‘They give us an extra dimension up front and competition for places.
‘Obviously Faz has played for us before, so we know his qualities, and Cal is something different to what we’ve got – he is a player who can make an impact.’
With the exception of long-term absentee Niall Hainsworth, Vance will have a full strength squad to choose from today in a match between sides that went in opposite directions on the league ladder at the end of last season, with Bedfont Sports being promoted back to Step 4 while GFC were relegated from that level.
‘There are people who have been away and missed some parts of pre-season, so that helps in our decisions if you like, but it is a nice position to be in,’ Vance said of his selection headaches.
‘At the end of the day, it’s a game we want to win against a team that is a level above us, so it will be a challenging game.
‘As we know, it’s almost impossible to do any research on these teams because of the sheer volume of movement of players [in non-league football] and since the last time we played them there might not be any of those guys left, but we know they are going to be a solid side,’ he added of Bedfont Sports, who GFC most recently faced during the 2022-23 season.
Vance also revealed that he has noticed a buzz during pre-season training this summer, not only because of the return to the FA Cup, but the ‘freshness’ of the scenario the Green Lions find themselves in.
‘I think I said, tongue in cheek, it was a positive relegation. I mean, we went down fighting, we played some good football and that was replicated in the Muratti for the players.
‘So we’ve started fairly brightly in terms of training and been on the money, but you don’t really know where you are until you get that first competitive game.
‘We’ve been lucky enough to have a pre-season game, and the boys played well and did sort of some of the things we’re looking to do this season. So we’re hoping for an exciting season, we’re hoping to be able to play as much front foot as we can, and obviously the thing is you’ve got to try and win games.
‘Certainly over the last seven or eight years, it’s been really difficult for us to do that. Everyone knows how tough it’s been. So I’m looking forward to it with open eyes .
‘I’m a realist, but there’s some optimism there from everybody, but ultimately excitement. There is an excitement about being in a new league and added to that we are in the FA Cup and Vase.
‘It is good to have that positive momentum.’
GFC against Bedfont Sports kicks off at 2pm at Victoria Park today.
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