Guernsey FC: Depleted Green Lions hailed after 1-1 Southall draw

Guernsey FC have drawn four of their last five matches

Guernsey FC boss Tony Vance hailed his understrength side as they came away from second-placed Southall with a 1-1 draw in Isthmian League South Central.

Late withdrawals meant Vance had just 12 players for the trip to the west of London against a side that had won their last five matches.

Obed Kwabena gave the hosts a 27th-minute lead, but Guernsey goalkeeper Josh Addison kept the islanders in it.

Owen Wallbridge's goal after 63 minutes sealed the point for Guernsey.

The draw means Guernsey FC are still second from bottom in the table and looking for their first win since the opening day of the season.

"Let's celebrate the performance first and foremost," Vance told BBC Radio Guernsey.

"The result is only a point, but it's a big point and a moral victory for us because they're the form team in the league.

"It wasn't looking good at six o'clock last night when I only had 12 players, but the 12 who've turned up today have done the club proud."

Vance was forced into something of a makeshift defence with Thomas Dodds partnering Thomas Vaudin at the back with skipper Jamie Dodd unavailable, and he felt they led by example:

"I thought they were outstanding against a big boy who was an absolute beast, but Vauds had him where he wanted him and I thought they led the performance to a certain degree.

"Josh behind them made some really important saves, but . . . it was a defensive job. When you turn up with 12 people and you've got what you've got, you have to put a plan together, and the players performed that significantly.

"We always knew that if we conceded a goal, it was important not to concede another one and stay in the game, because as the game wore on they were quite loose at the back and they left themselves open. and if we could get up there I fancied us to score; in particular, we highlighted their right-back area and Owen, and that's where the goal came from."