League leaders Eastbourne showed why they are at the top of the table, but there were definitely positives that GFC can take from Saturday afternoon’s match.
One of those positives was a great performance from youngster Dylan Graham, who has made a few appearances for the Green Lions already this season. Tony Vance picked out Graham for praise for his performance at full-time.
‘I really enjoyed watching Dylan – I’m a bit biased because I like wide players, people running with the ball at defenders, and I thought he was just relentless,’ said the Guernsey FC manager.
Graham created GFC’s first chance as he burst down the right wing before delivering a cross into Will Fazakerley, who was just off target with his header over.
Eastbourne’s first goal came in the 10th minute and was a tough one for the Green Lions to take with James Stone making a run down the right wing, going one-on-one with Guernsey goalkeeper Seb Sheppard and firing in. The referee dismissed protests that Stone was offside – which he very much appeared to be – and the goal was given.
In the 20th minute Guernsey put some pressure on and a good chance fell to Dave Merris whose long-range effort was just wide.
Brandon Wallace was also off target with a long-range shot on the half-hour mark.
In the 37th minute Merris’ long ball across the pitch found Wallace who produced a good run and got a shot away, but his effort was blocked well by Oliver Hull.
Then just before half-time Jorge Nones turned in a low cross to double Eastbourne’s lead.
At the start of the second half a free-kick from Fazakerley in a dangerous position was pushed around the post, before a free-kick won by Wallace was taken by Merris and headed over the crossbar.
Fazakerley was brought down in the box to win a penalty which he stepped up to take himself in the 55th minute and he buried it into the bottom corner as keeper Alieu Secka went the wrong way.
Within two minutes Eastbourne went close through Charlie Ball, but the number 10’s effort across the goal went just wide.
And it did not take long for Eastbourne to restore their two goal lead through Stone who got on the end of Joseph Overy’s cross and fired in past Sheppard.
Nones made it 4-1 seven minutes later as he headed home a free-kick.
Guernsey’s best response came from Fazakerley, who forced Secka into another good save from inside the area.
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