Match Preview

It is always a pleasure to welcome Guernsey to the Fields of Dreams and they visit in a rich vein of form. Last Saturday’s defeat at home to Ramsgate has been their only loss in their last 10 outings, five of them being draws and four victories. At the same time Herne Bay were coming away from Shoreham with a 1-0 win and the Taxi-Link Community Sports Ground was also the venue for the Green Lions mid-week trip to the mainland, where they won 3-0.

Guernsey Football Club was formed in 2011 to offer the island's elite footballers the opportunity to progress and test themselves on a regular basis outside of the Channel Islands. Saturday 6th August 2011 was a historic day for Guernsey when the club played its inaugural game in the Combined Counties League Division One. The historic day turned into an historic season with the club winning the league title, having lost only 2 of its 34 league matches. Promotion from the Premier Division was achieved at the first attempt, when after playing 16 games in 30 days, the Green Lions finished 2nd. Their first game in the Isthmian League Division One South was at Winch’s Field on 10/08/2013 beating Bay 1-0 in a close fought match. They went on to finish 4th, winning exactly half of their 46 games, drawing 12 and losing 11. This earned them a play-off semi-final away at Leatherhead which they lost 3-1. The two seasons since then has seen them slip down the table and in 2016/17 ended up one place outside of the drop zone.

In nine meetings with the Greens Lions, Herne Bay have won twice (both in the Bailiwick), drawing four and losing three. The last encounter was on 04/11/2017 when Bay travelled to the Channel Islands. In a wind-affected match Guernsey had the better of the first period with the gusts behind them but failed to capitalise on the conditions. Herne Bay went into the break drawing 1-1, thanks to a header by Jono Richardson from a Tom Carlton corner. Bay came out for the second half and made the most of their superior possession, adding two further goals, both again from corners, Richardson tapping in and Josh Wisson nodding home. With six minutes left on the clock the Green Lions pulled one back, but it was too little, too late and Jake Embery made sure of the points in time added on, making the long journey worthwhile, and ending the run of four away defeats.

The Green Lions have picked up after early season struggles which saw them bottom after nine matches. They sit in 19th place, 7 positions and 16 points behind Herne Bay, Bay having played one game more.

The four previous meetings at Winch’s Field have seen crowds of 405, 247, 151 and 161 (an average of 241).

Herne Bay will be looking for their 100th victory since we joined the Isthmian League (this will be our 269th league match). Both Tom Carlton and Bradley Schafer are due to make their 50th appearance (league & cup) in a Herne Bay shirt. Coming into this game Carlton has made 47 starts and 2 substitute appearances and Schafer 42+7.

Please note: Kick-off is at 1.00pm.