Postponements could be a momentum killer
Guernsey FC boss Tony Vance says he’s been left ‘frustrated’ by the recent postponements to multiple home games for the Green Lions, as his side prepare for a frantic few weeks of fixtures in the Isthmian South Central Division.
Adverse weather conditions in the last few months has meant delays to GFC’s scheduled matches against Hanworth Villa, Chertsey Town, Hartley Wintney and Southall, meaning they will be forced to play five times in the space of two weeks from Saturday.
Vance’s men are on their best run of form of the 2023-24 season, with four wins in their last six outings, but the head coach says that the postponed games make it ‘difficult’ for his team to keep building momentum.
‘In previous years a bit of rain has never been a concern of mine because we have never had to worry about games being off, but this year every time we see rain I panic and it ends up in a postponement,’ he said.
‘There’s been some positives, though, because we’re very stretched as a group at the moment, especially with the Muratti coming up.
‘We have felt at times that we could have done with these games going ahead because we’re playing well, but at other points we have felt the break is good, especially for some of the older boys.’
Vance added that the next few weeks will be relentless for GFC, starting at Corinthian-Casuals on Saturday before two of the top four, including leaders Chertsey Town, visit Footes Lane next week.
‘We’re going into a very challenging period with three games in eight days, especially since two of them are against top, top teams, which means we’ll have to be at full tilt to get anything,’ said the GFC manager.
‘We’ve played 20 games in 35 days before, and four games in four days, so this should be a doddle.
‘The lads are also used to playing a very condensed schedule in the Island Games, however this is a different physical challenge so we have to get the team right.
‘We could have Sam Murray coming back in the next three or four weeks, too, which would be great to relieve some pressure from Ross [Allen] and Owen [Wallbridge].
‘The lads have also not trained in five weeks due to Muratti commitments, however I know they’ve been unable to train as well.
‘We’re raring to go, though, so roll on the next few weeks.
‘Playing at home also allows us to get some positivity within the community and the crowd, as they have not seen a game for a long time.’
