That was the message from Guernsey FC’s manager Tony Vance to his players and GFC fans ahead of this afternoon’s Southern Combination Premier Division play-off-final at Victoria Park against a Peacehaven & Telscombe side who the Green Lions hit for six on the same ground two months ago.
‘People will be looking back at the previous result and seeing it was 6-0, but the reality is that Peacehaven are a very good side,’ said Vance yesterday.
‘When we beat them 6-0, it was a freak result. We played exceptionally well that day and everything we hit went in, but that game means nothing now and we have to have maximum focus tomorrow because it is going to be a tough game.
'Peacehaven are coming here to win and will do everything they can to do so, so we have to be at our absolute best.
‘I am not going to shy away from the fact that we are going to be seen as favourites because we are at home, which is what we wanted and earned, and we finished higher in the table, but I have nothing but respect for Peacehaven and the fact that they beat Haywards Heath away [in their semi-final] speaks volumes about what they’re capable of.’
Due to the well-publicised delay in playing this final, the vast majority of the GFC players are going into the game off the back of helping Guernsey retain the Muratti Vase at Springfield last weekend and Vance believes there are both positives and negatives to take from that.
‘We had a get together on Monday for a recovery session and in terms of the excitement and celebrations from Saturday, they were in surprisingly good shape, to be honest,’ he said.
‘Last weekend was fantastic and it is good momentum for us, but saying that there are a few tired legs in the group so this week’s training has been low key and medium-paced, which is not ideal but it’s a necessity.’
While most players have come through the Muratti unscathed and GFC will have Sam Murray in their ranks, with the striker having been unavailable for the clash at Springfield, Vance admitted that Matt Loaring is a doubt for today.
‘His comeback from long-term injury has gone amazingly well, but he has been involved maybe a little bit more than anticipated since he got back, so we will have to see on him.’
As for this occasion, Vance believes it will rank near the top of those GFC have enjoyed so far in the club’s history.
‘It is probably right up there in terms of prizes available to us,’ he said.
‘Back in the day we were just enjoying moments. When you look back and think we were 90 minutes away from getting to Wembley and we also had a play-off to get to Step Three in our third year of existence, that was incredible, but at the time we probably did not appreciate it.
‘This is not far behind that and considering we have not had anything to play for, apart from fighting relegation for five or six years, it’s huge, and being able to do it at Victoria Park gives it a different meaning to us too.’
Today’s match, which will go to extra-time and penalties if required, kicks off at 1.30pm.
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