Crawley Down Gatwick took a mixture of their U21’s and U18 Ryman sides to Guernsey for this New Years day Fixture after most of the established Senior Players, had declined to take the trip.

The travel for this match had proved to be a real nightmare, as delay after delay, with the flight meant that the Team were grounded at Gatwick Airport from 9:30am until eventual take off at 4:30pm which caused the match K/O time to be put back from 2pm to 4pm and finally 7:30pm. In the end the team after being buffeted around in the wind had to come straight off the plane and go directly to the ground and warm up for the match. Not the sort of preparation for a match any team would relish.

Guernsey FC as usual gave the side the usual warm welcome and publically congratulated the side for agreeing to play the match later on that evening.

Yes its true that the youngsters were overwhelmed by a very good Guernsey side and especially Ross Allen who hit six very good goals and which few goalkeepers would have kept out, but taking the positives from the game all the young Players who travelled were prepared to put themselves out and at least do their best and give it a go.

Manager Francis Vines is in the process of rebuilding the side said afterwards that he commends everyone who played tonight for their commitment to the Club and hoped that the young players concerned enjoyed the experience of playing at this venue with a large crowd of spectators. None of the players were overawed by the occasion and all put in a great shift and despite the goals were able to compete and never gave up throughout.

Team: Ryam Musselwhite, Bradley Peters, Michael Daley (Quincy Campbell Rose), Jamie Hills (Tim Ojo), James Porter, Charlie Holness, Bradley Lewis (Daz Clay), Joe Goldsmith, Luke Medley, George Cousins, Stefan Cox

MOM Luke Medley Attn: 752