Green Lions ensure survival- but make it look rather difficult

Guernsey knew that a point against Northwood would guarantee their safety as they walked out at Footes Lane yesterday afternoon, and they picked up that point, after first sending the home crowd into a joyful frenzy prior to leaving them with a tense, nervous headache.

The Green Lions had a fine first half, in contrast to their visitors. On eight minutes Charlton Gauvain put the hosts ahead from twenty yards, and nine minutes before half time they had a little breathing space, Sam Murray adding a second from much closer range. Into added time at the end of the first forty five, and the Green Lions roared once more, Matt Loaring curling home a third to leave the hosts home and dry- or so it looked.

The Northwood that emerged for the second half, as it turned out, wasn’t mentally preparing for the flight home despite the deficit. On sixty three minutes substitute Luke Tingey headed home a corner at the back post, and within two minutes the home fans had reason to worry, as Lucas Sinclair got on the end of another corner to bring it back to three-two. Nine minutes later the sides were all square, Stephan Langley pouncing on the ball after a goalmouth scramble and levelling the contest, which can’t have been good for the blood pressure most of the seven hundred and twenty eight watching on.

The Green Lions, however, managed to hold onto that point, and retain their Isthmian status as a consequence.

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