The Green Lions had not played in the national knockout for clubs in Steps 5 and 6 since they reached the semi-finals during the 2012-13 season and they boosted hopes of another memorable run in the competition with a hard-fought win over Bexhill United at Pilot Field.
The Pirates were new opponents for GFC, albeit a team they will face twice more this season as both sides are in the Southern Combination Premier Division, and the visitors took the lead before their hosts had barely touched the ball as a well-worked kick off routine concluded with Charlton Gauvain applying a great finish to score inside the opening 20 seconds.
However, the Green Lions were to suffer a major blow a quarter of an hour later when they lost their goalscorer to a shoulder injury.
Bexhill were level just after the half-hour mark as prolific striker Jack Shonk equalised with his fifth goal in six games so far this season and Josh Addison made a fine save just before the interval to ensure the score remained 1-1 at half-time.
The Green Lions flew out of the blocks again in the second half and regained the lead when Sam Murray followed up to knock in the rebound after Cal Le Lacheur had hit the woodwork.
GFC continued to look the more threatening of the sides with Bexhill goalkeeper Stefanos Akras making a good save to deny Murray and shortly afterwards Jacob Fallaize had an attempt cleared off the line.
A gift-wrapped third goal came on 77 minutes when Murray capitalised on a poor back pass and shot into the bottom corner.
Fallaize also got his name on the scoresheet late on as he tapped in from close range to put icing on the cake with a couple of minutes remaining.
GFC’s reward for their victory is a second qualifying round tie with Croydon on Saturday 20 September at Victoria Park.
Guernsey FC team
Addison, Vaudin, Fallaize, Merris, Le Lacheur, Vance, Du Port, Wallace, Gauvain, Allen, Fazakerley. Subs: Hainsworth, Murray, Arnold, Gilman, Maginnis.
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