Crunch game for GFC: ‘Brickies’ won’t roll over, warns manager
SITTINGBOURNE promise to do the Green Lions no favours at three o’clock on Saturday afternoon.
Guernsey FC desperately need a result, but depending on the outcome of Greenwich Borough’s game at home to Hastings United, they might escape relegation even if they lose to Chris Lynch’s side.
The Sittingbourne manager, who has already started his summer clear-out, said his side will be fully focused, even though their recent poor run of four defeats and one draw in their last five suggests otherwise. Lynch said the ‘Brickies’ want to finish with a flourish and gave assurances he would be naming a strong side.
‘We like our rivalry with Guernsey, they’re great people and it will be unfortunate if we send them down, but it’s not our problem,’ he told KentOnline.
‘We’re not here to do anybody any favours and that includes Greenwich, if they end up staying up.
‘We’re here to be the best we can be and we want to win every game.
‘I’m not going to put out a weakened team against Guernsey.
‘It’s not what I’m about and it’s not good for the fans who are paying good money to come and watch us.’
Tony Vance said he did not expect any favours while highlighting how the Greenwich issues have influenced his thoughts and targets this past month.
‘When you are in a run like this [no wins in 14] you chunk games together and set targets.
‘Because I knew of the situation, I targeted that we didn’t lose against Greenwich and not lose at Sittingbourne to keep us safe.
‘We thought about this heavily.
‘We had been calculating things for four weeks and again since the Greenwich game.’
‘But I want us to be able to say at the end that the three points [deduction] didn’t make a difference.’
Vance is short of three from his normal group for the trip, including the injured Charlton Gauvain, still troubled by ankle issues.
Seb Skillen and Keanu Marsh are both away.
‘Ultimately, we know what we have to do. It’s in our hands and we’ll give it a go,’ said the GFC boss.
As for Sittingbourne, Lynch offered an insight into how different mainland clubs were compared with Guernsey. He plans a big clear-out.
‘I’ve got to be honest and upfront with people because it’s their careers and the money helps pay the bills,’ he told KentOnline.‘I’ve got friends and contacts and there’s a lot of good players out there.
‘Pretty much everyone is a free agent and ideally I’d like to add three or four experienced players in the areas we need, to help what will still be a youthful side.’