Eagles break Green Lions Hearts

Match Report courtesy of Guernsey FC

Guernsey 3 (Domaille 6', 31' Acey 42')

Bedfont Sports 4 (Espirt 20', Williams 65', Sanders 88' & Williams 90').

Tony Vance's much-changed side suffered late heartbreak as Bedfont Sports came back from 3-1 down to win 4-3 in the 96th minute.

Keene Domaille twice gave the hosts the lead in the first half either side of a Jordan Esprit goal for Bedfont Sports. Guernsey's 18-year-old striker played a major role in the third goal too as his parried shot fell perfectly to Ben Acey to give Guernsey a two-goal cushion at halftime. The visitors who are jostling for position in the play-off spots looked to be being frustrated until a Daniel Williams goal halved the deficit in the 65th minute reigniting belief in a turnaround. It took until the 88th minute for the Eagles to draw level thanks to Darryl Sanders' rocket from the edge of the box flying past Lucas Hanley.

However, the drama didn't end there as Daniel Williams bagged a brace himself by rifling an effort into the top corner in the 96th minute to seal an incredible comeback victory which sparked wild scenes of celebration. Vance named six changes to the starting lineup from the midweek draw against Chipstead, looking to give players an opportunity to impress while resting several key first team players ahead a congested final week of fixtures. Despite the rotation, the Green Lions were the dominant side from the get-go and were rewarded when Tom Strawbridge knocked a corner down and Domaille flexibly turned into the net with goalkeeper Andrew McCorkell rooted to the spot. However, a corner down the other end brought the scores level once more as Guernsey failed to clear their lines and after a case of pinball in the penalty area the ball broke kindly to Jordan Esprit who expertly tucked away past the onrushing Hanley.

Yet the scores weren't level for long and on the half hour mark, Domaille doubled his tally for the afternoon with a beautiful first-time finish, which wrapped into the side netting meaning the striker now has three goals in his last two appearances.

The 18-year-old's eyes lit up as an opportunity for a first half hat-trick arose as the striker cut inside from the right and curled a shot on goal which forced McCorkell to parry the shot straight into the path of Ben Acey who made no mistake with his left-footed strike.

It seemed as though the result was assured at half-time however the Eagles were sent out early for the second half as Bedfont Sports were eager to claw back the deficit and keep their ambitions of finishing second alive.

Despite all their endeavour, the extremely young Guernsey side held off extremely well and frustrated the visitors by drawing fouls in the midfield.

The Eagles lacked creativity until the substitution of Williams began to make the Eagles click, albeit with help from the tiring legs of the Guernsey players.

With one of his very first touches on the field Williams stole in at the near post to guide the ball into the net bringing Bedfont Sports back within touching distance.

From then, the Green Lions had their backs against the wall in the second half but defended resolutely with the introduction of George McNeela and Jacob Fallaize to try and preserve all three points. It seemed as though the Green Lions were home and dry until Darryl Sanders bolt out of the blue from 20-yards out shattered the impenetrable defence in the 88th minute. With the Green Lions defending deeper as each minute passed on, the star-striker found space on the edge of the box and arrowed his shot into the bottom left corner leaving Hanley with no chance.

The fourth official indicated there would be four minutes of added time but it was in the sixth minute of stoppage time that Bedfont Sports mustered up one final chance as substitute Williams delightfully dropped a shoulder in the box to work space for a shot which he directed into the very top corner leaving the Guernsey players sprawled over the turf in disappointment.