Vance pleased with Guernsey FC after FA Cup opener

Guernsey FC's 12-year stay in the fourth tier of non-league football came to an end last season

Guernsey FC boss Tony Vance hopes his side's performance in their 1-1 FA Cup draw with Bedfont Sports bodes well for the season.

The Green Lions - who were relegated to the fifth tier of non-league football in April - held their own against a side a division above them.

They are set to travel to the UK later this week to replay their extra preliminary-round tie after Ross Allen's equaliser earned them a draw.

Guernsey will open their first-ever campaign in the Southern Combination Premier Division on Saturday when they host Wick at Victoria Park.

"They're step four, they're the league above us, and we managed to match them," said Vance, whose side has had limited pre-season fixtures.

"I think it shows that the teams that have just come out of step five going into step four, and the teams like us coming down from step four to step five, there's not much in them.

"So if we're to do well in step five, these are the games that are going to be close and it showed that we're capable of challenging them.

"The good news for us is we're not up to speed yet, and we won't be for about a month, so I'm looking forward to it and seeing how we can go."