Guernsey FC 'better side' in opening day defeat

Sam Murray continued his good goalscoring form having scored nine goals in his final seven appearances last season

Guernsey FC boss Tony Vance says his side were the 'better side' as they began their Isthmian League South Central campaign with a 2-1 loss away at Hartley Wintney.

Charlie Postance headed the hosts into a 10th-minute lead, but Sam Murray levelled as he headed home Ross Allen's 29th-minute cross.

But Hartley Wintney retook the lead 13 minutes into the second half as Aderi Dede calmly beat Josh Addison after good build-up play by Reece Wylie.

Guernsey were unable to find an equaliser and were reduced to 10 men in the final minutes after substitute Zach Gilman was shown a straight red card for a tackle on his debut.

"I think it's disappointing because we were the better side, I think everyone knew that," Vance told BBC Radio Guernsey.

"So that's pleasing because obviously we haven't had any pre-season games - we've had a couple of friendlies against local teams, but we haven't played anybody at this level.

"They're probably 10 games in in terms of pre-season friendlies, in terms of match minutes and actually I thought we were stronger than them, so that that bodes well.

"That's the positive and you always look for any positive you can, even in an horrendous defeat, but today was cruel because we were the better team."