Guernsey FC’s hard fought 3-2 success over Bexhill United on Saturday definitely fell into the latter category for the Green Lions who were in total command of proceedings as they opened up a two-goal lead inside a dozen minutes at Victoria Park thanks to Sam Murray and Will Fazakerley, but then did their best to shoot themselves in the foot on multiple occasions.
Bexhill were level by half-time and although Cal Le Lacheur scored what proved to be a fine winner early in the second half, GFC had to see out the final 20 minutes with 10 men after Dave Merris was sent off for his second bookable offence on a weekend to forget for the Island U21 manager.
‘That wasn’t how it was supposed to go and what we’d talked about, but I guess that’s football sometimes,’ said GFC manager Tony Vance.
‘Obviously, it was never going to be easy with the under-21s last night and Charlton [Gauvain] suspended, but we should have been better than that today and I think the first 10 or 15 minutes proved that.
‘We did what we do and got ourselves deservedly in front because we’d smothered them, we dominated them and dominated areas and were really squeezing them and got our two goals.
‘Then someone decided to light a cigar, smoke it for a bit and chill, and after 10 or 15 minutes of 2-0, they wanted to enjoy the sunshine, I think – and that was so much the wrong thing to do.
‘We stopped doing everything that we do and that’s got us 100-and-whatever goals it is this season, and I just cannot understand it.
‘The mentality there was our downfall. And then, because we’re chilled and enjoying the day, the technical and tactical focus goes, and lo and behold, Bexhill pick themselves up, they realise they’ve got a chance and smell blood, and they did.
‘So very, very frustrated at half time, really, really annoyed because the first 10-15 minutes were brilliant, next 30 minutes terrible.
‘But ultimately the best thing is three points and that’s what we need.’
Narrow wins elsewhere for both Steyning and Haywards Heath mean GFC remain five points behind the joint leaders in third.
The Green Lions are back in action tomorrow night as they travel to 16th-placed Midhurst & Easebourne in the first of back-to-back away games this week.
