The Green Lions returned to the oldest national knockout competition in the world last season after a nine-year absence, but were subsequently expelled from it having fielded an ineligible player during their 1-1 draw with Bedfont Sports.
Ahead of hosting Crowborough Athletic in the extra preliminary round this weekend, GFC manager Tony Vance was able to look back on the disappointment of a year ago with a sense of humour as he quipped that the club saved a lot of money by not having to travel for a replay.
‘The manager wasn’t very happy and that’s me, but the accountant was very happy and that’s me too,’ he said with a chuckle.
‘The FA Cup is an iconic competition and it’s great to be a part of it. Luckily Gary Roberts [the Guernsey Football Association chief executive] is around this year to check the registrations. He wasn’t around last year, so it was down to me and I obviously didn’t do a great job.’
The ‘Crows’, who GFC beat 3-2 back in the 2012-13 FA Vase campaign, are a level above the Green Lions in the non-league pyramid as they ply their trade in Isthmian South East and Vance is looking forward to the challenge.
‘Being at home brings an element of being a leveller to it, but they have to be favourites because of the level they are at compared to us,’ he said.
‘I always enjoy these games because it gives us an idea, or confirmation really, of where we are. I think we are capable of being a Step Four side, we are there or thereabouts, but this will tell us more and it will not be an easy game.’
The Green Lions head into today’s clash off the back of a perfect start to their league season having picked up six points from their first two games despite a lack of resources.
There were up to 10 players unavailable for the midweek trip to East Grinstead Town and the coaching team altered their approach accordingly, with the match-day squad carrying out the game-plan ‘almost’ to the letter according to Vance.
They were 1-0 up at half-time thanks to Will Fazakerley’s penalty, which came after Charlton Gauvain was brought down by home goalkeeper Harry Howes, and Josh Addison’s penalty save from Dan Perry at the other end.
After the interval, it was backs-to-the-wall for GFC, but they defended stoutly and Addison made a couple more important saves when called upon to keep the lead in tact.
‘We were not supposed to be defending for 53 minutes – more like 10 at the end – and we were supposed to be higher up the pitch, but we did not have many resources available, we could only take 14 players.
‘We wanted to be a little more comfortable and controlled than we were, but we generally kept them away from our goal and it was about dealing with their crosses because when you are defending like that, ultimately you are going to have to concede certain areas of the pitch.
‘What was fantastic was it was Archie Drillot’s first away game for us, it was perfect for him and he would have really enjoyed it. Having him and Ben Solway at the back was great and they defended really well.
‘We are trying to be slightly different in certain situations this season and that was one of those when resources dictated that. We felt we needed to be strong and robust against an East Grinstead side who have a good group, they have a big budget and they are going to be up there this season, so to get three points was brilliant.’
The Green Lions are one of four Southern Combination Premier Division sides to have started the season with back-to-back wins along with Roffey, Eastbourne United and Bexhill United.
As the focus now switches to knockout football with today’s FA Cup clash followed by an FA Vase tie next weekend, GFC welcome back Dodd, Fin Du Port and Sam Murray to the ranks to face Crowborough Athletic.
Today’s match kicks off at 2pm at Victoria Park.
GFC Women’s first game in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup will be at Victoria Park after they were handed a home tie against Chessington & Hook United in the preliminary round. The game will be played on Sunday 23 August.
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