On Friday the Green Lions were handed a home draw in the extra preliminary round against Crowborough Athletic, which is due to be played on Saturday 8 August.
Tony Vance is delighted the club get to play another tie in the world’s oldest cup competition at Victoria Park where last year they drew 1-1 with Bedfont Sports at the same stage of the competition, only to subsequently be removed from it having fielded an unregistered player.
‘It’s going to be a tough one because they’re at step four, so that will give us a good challenge, but it’s one we look forward to – and I’ll try to make sure that everyone we play is signed on this year,’ said Vance.
His side already have some silverware in the cabinet to boost their confidence, too, after they lifted the Mike Thomas Trophy on Saturday following their 2-1 win over Sheffield FC as pre-season got under way in earnest.
Cal Le Lacheur gave GFC the lead with a goal on the stroke of half-time before Charlton Gauvain doubled their advantage in the second half, with Harrison Poulter getting one back for the iconic visitors, the world’s oldest club.
‘In flashes there was some good stuff,’ Vance said.
‘We’re only very early in, obviously we haven’t got a full group out there, and I think we were fortunate enough to be 1-0 up at half-time because they missed a few chances, to be honest, which we gifted.
‘But both our goals were ruthless and I think when you look at the fact that at the end of the game, we had five 17-year-olds on the pitch and a 47-year-old or whatever Mez is, then that’s brilliant.
‘I mean that’s what this is all about and it’s really important that we ensure we do some rotations this year, and get people minutes, and choose the right games. Pre-season allows us to do that, to give these players exposure and opportunity, and they’ve been doing really well in training as well. And it gives the older boys some emphasis, some energy, and it was great to see.
‘All in all, it was a good game.
‘Sheffield FC were brilliant. They were a good side and, as I said, we were probably fortunate, but to win the trophy is the final sentence that’s nice to say. I’m proud and I know the family are so, it’s great to have the trophy again and as a contest, we’ve got the facility to do it now, the opportunity to do it, so it’ll happen every year.
‘To have our name on it is great. Some of these lads have never won a trophy before for Guernsey FC, so we’ll take that.’
In the FA Vase, which has also been drawn, Guernsey FC will be away to Newhaven in the first qualifying round on Saturday 15 August.
