Guernsey FC 'down in the dumps', says boss Tony Vance

Guernsey FC have won just two of their opening six matches

Guernsey FC manager Tony Vance says the team are "down in the dumps" after their worst-ever start to a season.

The Green Lions lost 4-2 at home to East Grinstead Town on Monday to add to Saturday's home defeat by South Park.

They have won just two of their last nine competitive home games and just once at Footes Lane this season.

"We're hurting bad, there's a number of things going on and it's difficult, we're down in the dumps at the moment and we need to pull together," he said.

Despite having after reaching last season's play-offs, Guernsey lie 13th in the Isthmian League Division One South - and Vance says things are not going to plan.

"It's just the way things are at the moment and people need to be realistic," he told BBC Radio Guernsey.

"It's a really tough time for us all, we're amateurs, we're volunteers, we're giving up our time and we've had some wonderful times recently and people aren't used to this.

"We've got to dig in. The frustrating thing is we all know we're good enough to do well in this league, but at the moment we're an easy picking."

Guernsey had got off to the best possible start after Dave Rihoy gave them a first-minute lead.

But they collapsed right before half-time as first Steve Sargent equalised with a 44th-minute penalty before Layton Schaaf put the visitors in front right on the stroke of the interval.

Simon Geall is stretchered off after his injury late in the game

Despite the introduction of last season's top-scorer Ross Allen at half-time, the visitors extended their lead eight minutes after the break as Sargent got his second with a free-kick from just outside the box.

Brad Curtis made the game safe with 16 minutes to go before Allen pulled one back seven minutes from time.

Guernsey's day was made even worse when Simon Geall was stretchered off just before the end with a double break of his leg which required surgery.

"There's an unbelievable amount of pressure on this group," added Vance.

"That's forced by ourselves, forced by the huge expectations of everyone assuming that we're going to win every game.

"We're the team to beat and at the moment we're wounded.

"People need to be realistic and understand that and we've just got to dig in.

"We've got some really key players out at the moment and defensively we're very vulnerable."