Guernsey FC beat Sutton Common Rovers 3-1 on return to action

Ross Allen has been part of Guernsey FC's side since the club was formed in 2011Ross Allen has been part of Guernsey FC's side since the club was formed in 2011

Record goalscorer Ross Allen scored twice as Guernsey FC beat Sutton Common Rovers 3-1 in their first competitive game since February 2020.

Kyle Smith's sixth-minute effort put the islanders ahead before Allen doubled the tally four minutes later.

Kieran Mahon hit the post shortly before the break and Dejarhn Grant pulled one back for the visitors three minutes into the second half.

Allen's close-range effort after 65 minutes sealed the win.

The game was marred by an allegation that a Guernsey supporter racially abused the Sutton Common Rovers bench.

"Guernsey Football Club condemns all forms of discrimination," a club statement read.

"We were made aware of an incident at today's game which was quickly dealt with and the person was removed from the ground.

"We will be investigating before making any further comment."

The match was Guernsey's first competitive fixture since 22 February 2020 - a gap of 595 days - when they lost 6-0 at Ashford United shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was also their first fixture in the Isthmian League South Central division since a restructure of non-league football this summer.

Strict coronavirus travel rules to the island only changed at the start of October, with non-vaccinated travellers from the UK able to come to the island provided they take a lateral flow test - allowing Guernsey to host games again.

The club pulled out of their campaign before the 2019-20 season was declared null and void while planned pre-season games with FC Isle of Man this summer were postponed.

Tony Vance's side have had just one warm-up match prior to the win - a 5-2 victory over local club side St Martin's last month.

"It was a great performance, we were hanging in there for periods in the game, but generally we deserved to win the game, we troubled them more than they troubled us," Guernsey FC manager Tony Vance told BBC Radio Guernsey.

"It's huge credit to the players, they've been working really hard for the last three weeks when they gave us the go-ahead to start playing again as we had to up-skill these players.

"They've been playing locally in a comfortable surrounding against their mates, it's nice and easy. This isn't, you have to work very hard to get opportunities.

"We've created a team again, that's what people won't appreciate from afar, these guys have all been playing against each other.

"They're mates together, they drink together, they work together and suddenly they're against each other, but we've bonded them together and tried to instil that team spirit and that team requirement. because this is a physical test and a real mental challenge."