First loss 'a good reality check' - Guernsey boss

Guernsey have nine points from four league matches this season

Guernsey FC manager Tony Vance says his players have experienced an "interesting period" during their first four league matches in the ninth tier of English football.

The Green Lions' perfect start in the Southern Combination Premier Division ended with a 4-2 defeat at Sussex side Little Common on Saturday.

The depleted visitors' team coach broke down on the way to the match but they took an early lead through Simon Arnold before Dave Merris was sent off for a handball at the expense of a penalty.

"We didn't deserve to win," Vance told BBC Guernsey. "It was a tough challenge but I still fancied us to win the game with 10 men.

"They hit a worldie second goal and a sucker-punch third before half-time. We got back into it but ran out of puff."

Guernsey suffered the first relegation in their 12-year history by a point last season, joining the Southern Combination Premier from the Isthmian League South Central.

Despite playing with 10 players for 80 minutes in their third away game of the new campaign, substitute Niall Hainsworth reduced the deficit to 3-2 with 14 minutes remaining, only for Sam Ellis to put the contest out of Guernsey's reach with a long-range strike four minutes from time.

"In a funny kind of way, I think it's a good reality check for everybody," Vance said.

"Some might have been getting carried away. This is classic step-five football and classic scenarios that we have to face.

"But it's a challenge because when you turn up you realise it's going to be tough to play on a pitch or in [certain] conditions - because of the surface, the circumstances."

Guernsey described their Victoria Park stadium as offering "premium facilities" when it opened in March.

"It's a completely different kettle of fish when you're at home," reflected Vance.

"The beauty of getting relegated is we don't know what we're playing against, so that's exciting.

"It's completely different to home, where we're in beautiful surroundings and everything's perfect.

"We've negotiated a couple of games away and [against Little Common] we didn't. These are the games that matter the most."

Guernsey are next at home to winless Midhurst & Easebourne on 13 September (14:00 BST).