It is fourth against fifth in the Southern Combination Premier Division as Peacehaven & Telscombe arrive in the island having not lost a game since Sam Murray struck in injury time to snatch all three points from the reverse fixture back in November.
‘They were good. They tried to play football and I enjoyed the way they played – on reflection, that was a helluva victory for us,’ said GFC manager Tony Vance, reflecting on that 1-0 success after which Peacehaven have embarked on a 15-match unbeaten run including 11 wins.
‘It was two teams having a right go at each other, it was end-to-end, a great game of football, we managed to get the win and when you look at what they have done since then, it was probably an even better win for us than we thought at the time.
‘But it also tells us that this is going to be a difficult contest.’
The Green Lions are one point above the visitors in the table and two points off third-placed Horsham YM, having played a game fewer than both sides, but GFC are looking to get back to winning ways after the disappointment of last week’s 3-0 defeat at Eastbourne United.
Vance emphasised that for all clubs in the play-off picture, a top-three finish and a home tie is ‘a huge carrot’.
‘Last week has put us in a situation where we are still in control, but we have put a bit of pressure on ourselves. We’ll have to see how we deal with it,’ he said.
‘We are trying to get back to how we play because we forgot about that for 70 minutes last week and the players got a little bit individual, so that has been the message this week.
‘Not only do we have to be good in possession, we have to be good out of possession, too, so the players have to be responsible and accountable, and we have to be fluid in how we play.’
On a positive note, Charlton Gauvain returns from suspension for the hosts and apart from the still-suspended Dave Merris and long-term absentee Seb Vance, everyone is fit for selection.
‘There’s going to be some disappointed people who miss out,’ said Vance.
‘Having Charlton back is hugely impactful for us. He loves his football and he is a very frustrated spectator.’
Whoever takes to the pitch for GFC today, Vance hopes that they will have some raucous support, with the club having donated free tickets to schools across the bailiwick to mark the occasion.
‘It would be great to get some noise down there if possible. Good crowds always help – we’ve seen that many times already,’ said Vance.
Guernsey FC v Peacehaven & Telscombe kicks off at 2pm.
