Guernsey FC ready for final challenge - Vance
Guernsey FC boss Tony Vance says his side face a difficult challenge when they host Peacehaven and Telscombe in their delayed play-off final.
Guernsey FC reached the play-off final thanks to a 3-0 win over Horsham YM [Fran Torode] Guernsey FC boss Tony Vance says his side will face a difficult challenge when they host Peacehaven and Telscombe in their delayed Southern Combination Premier Division play-off final. The Green Lions - who finished third in the division - host their fifth-placed opponents for the final place in Isthmian League South East next season. Guernsey beat their opponents 6-0 when they visited Victoria Park two months ago, but Vance says a repeat of that result is very unlikely.
"I think we need to manage everyone's expectations a little bit," Vance told BBC Radio Guernsey. "I'm not going to hide away from the fact that we should be favourites and probably are favourites, but we're playing a very good team and whenever we've played them they've been really good. "When we beat them down here 6-0 everyone would think that was a standout performance, but it was one of those days where we played really well, everything went to plan and, for them, everything went wrong - but it wasn't a 6-0 sort of difference.
"They're a good side and I'm not going to take that match into any consideration here. " Guernsey FC to contest play-off final at home Fazakerley double helps Guernsey FC reach play-off final Vance 'dumbfounded' by Guernsey FC play-off switch The match itself has an air of controversy after a series of delays. Guernsey were due to host the fixture on 10 May but with Liberation Day celebrations that weekend, they were unable to organise suitable travel at short notice.
The league initially stripped Guernsey of hosting the game, ordering it to be played on 12 or 13 May on the English mainland. But, after talks, Guernsey had their home advantage for finishing higher in the league restored and the game will kick off at 13:30 BST on Saturday. "It has impacted both teams, but ultimately, for us, it was obviously disappointing and frustrating the fact that it was taken away from us," added Vance.