Having been out of action since the first weekend of September, Charlton Gauvain is in line to return to the match-day squad for this afternoon’s huge clash with fellow play-off chasers East Grinstead Town at Victoria Park and GFC manager Tony Vance has praised his playmaker for showing uncharacteristic self-restraint in not rushing his return.
‘He has been under doctor’s orders and has done the training sessions required,’ Vance said.
‘For Charlton, as those who know him will tell you, he has been incredibly patient and that’s been really good.
‘I sincerely hope that, one, he looks after himself on the pitch and, two, he does what he needs to do off the pitch because he is such an asset to us and he loves playing.
‘Considering we have done so well without him, it is a major boost to have him back now, though it means someone has to miss out and that’s never nice, often it’s unfair too, but I have decisions to make and we’ve got to win games.’
Gauvain played when GFC won 1-0 away to East Grinstead in the first week of the season and he was fouled for the first-half penalty which Will Fazakerley converted before Josh Addison saved a spot kick at the other end just moments later to maintain that lead. The Green Lions withstood a lot of second-half pressure to claim the three points.
‘I don’t think we got into their half after half-time. The game plan worked, but I can’t say I liked it,’ recalled Vance.
‘To be fair, we were missing a few players which in part determined the idea behind that plan, but more so it was total respect to East Grinstead because we knew they would be a good side.
‘It turned out to be an excellent result for us. It was a question of defending resolutely and it was a great defensive display by everybody, particularly Ben Solway and Archie Drillot at the back and Josh in goal.’
However, the ‘Wasps’ come into today’s reverse fixture sitting fourth in the table, two places and a point above GFC, having won nine and drawn three of their 16 games.
Vance expects them to be a well-organised and strong outfit.
‘They will be physical and will know their roles, so we need to stand up to them. From when we played them last, I thought they were good with the ball and particularly good with their switch of play,’ he said.
‘At the end of the day, we are at home and now we’ve got players back we can look to play the game we want to, but we have to be mindful of East Grinstead knowing that they are going to be there or thereabouts when it comes to the play-offs – you only have to look at their results and also their stature, because they were a step four side last season. It is a classic six-pointer and I do not want to get stung by them.
‘We have been building momentum and I hope the players are looking forward to going toe-to-toe with these sort of teams. Having people back means we have the chance to be more aggressive with our play and that’s when we need people to come to the table.
‘But East Grinstead will be looking to do likewise, they will want to be the spoilers and they will be looking for revenge, too.’
GFC against East Grinstead Town kicks off at 1.30pm today at Victoria Park.
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