Guernsey FC suffer 3-0 Midhurst defeat

TL;DR

Guernsey FC lost 3-0 to Midhurst and Easebourne, missing the chance to secure third place in the Southern Combination Premier Division. The match was a replay after a previous game was abandoned due to a serious injury.

The defeat means Guernsey FC cannot finish in second place [Fran Torode]

Guernsey FC missed the chance to secure third place in the Southern Combination Premier Division after losing 3-0 at Midhurst and Easebourne.

The game was a replay of the fixture that was abandoned last month after a serious injury to a home player with Guernsey 4-1 up.

The loss means Guernsey remain in third place, but still need one more victory to guarantee that position and a home play-off semi final.

But their second successive defeat - after Saturday’s 4-3 loss at Wick - ends any hopes of finishing in second place.

The hosts got off to an excellent start as Callum Kimber gave them a fifth-minute lead.

Sam Murray, Will Fazakerley and Ross Allen all went close for Guernsey before Midhurst made it 2-0 10 minutes before half time.

Owen Pelham broke through and slotted past Josh Addison, with the referee overruling his assistant who had raised his flag for offside.

Moments later Callum Le Lacheur forced an excellent save from Ricardo Mendonca as the islanders tried to reduce the deficit.

Midhurst had a couple of good chances soon after the interval while Allen saw a free kick well saved after an hour.

But any hope of a Guernsey comeback was ended with 10 minutes to go when Midhurst substitute Ralph Anelay curled an effort into the top corner from the edge of the box.