Dominic Heaume came off the bench to score and set up another. (Picture by Matt Bunn, 1174689)

Cobham 0, Guernsey FC 4
WHEN the final Combined Counties League tables are calculated come April time, this could well have been Guernsey FC’s defining weekend.

Should the Green Lions achieve their ever-growing realistic aim of promotion, it will down in no small part to a six-point, nine-goal showing for which they were full value in a three-day spell AWAY.

That Cobham held GFC for 45 minutes at the bizarrely-named Leg O Mutton Field yesterday was testament to the home side’s own ability, most notably centre midfielder Daniel Akymwambe, who stood out among a string of new signings.

But once GFC had kicked into gear after the break and taken the lead through yet another Ross Allen strike, there was only going to be one winner, as Tony Vance’s men well and truly turned on the style with a vintage display.

It means the Green Lions now sit top of the Division One table on goal difference, with massive clashes against champions Worcester Park and unbeaten Westfield soon to come.

And although yesterday’s starting team was much changed from the Frimley Green saunter of Saturday, Allen thought he had put his team in the lead within seconds of the opening whistle. An offside flag was all that denied his classy finish from opening the scoring and it typified a largely frustrating first 45 for GFC as they looked to prize open the home door.

Cobham’s new keeper, Will Midmore, denied Allen on two occasions, albeit both routine saves, while Dave Rihoy hit the crossbar from the tried-and-tested Guernsey corner routine.

That latter effort on 17 minutes was as close as GFC were to get in the first period, as Cobham began to assert their own presence.

However, they were unable to create any clear cut openings, bar a couple of wasted free-kicks from dangerous positions, with GFC’s centre-back pairing of Sam Cochrane and Alex Le Prevost once again faultless.

It was especially important as GFC were being overrun in midfield on numerous occasions, slow to react to the second ball.

But things improved dramatically after the break, as GFC produced arguably their best half-game display on their travels thus far, with Allen close to scoring within two minutes of the restart.

He surged through the Cobham defence and bore down on Midmore, but the GFC hitman’s effort was superbly kept out by the keeper’s legs.

With nine goals in his previous five games already, though, you cannot keep Allen quiet for long and he continued his stunning goalscoring form after 54 minutes.

Le Prevost’s ball into the area was nodded down by a combination of heads and Allen was quickest to react, burying it into the top corner for the pivotal opener.

That was always likely to be the goal that broke Cobham’s spirits and that was especially the case when Vance added to the pressure by immediately bringing on stars Dom Heaume and Glyn Dyer from the bench.

Their presence proved overwhelming, as Dyer, in particular, was magnificent, producing as good a substitute cameo appearance as one could wish for.

And after Allen had once again gone close after firing over Midmore’s bar, it was no surprise really to see the two big name changes involved in the match-clinching second goal.

It was Heaume who was eventually on hand to bury home the rebound from Midmore’s smart save, but it was Dyer who created it and deserved to see the net bulge.

Picking the ball up just over the halfway line, his sublime 50-yard diagonal ball found Allen, unsupported on the left flank but still threatening. By the time he came to pass, it was Dyer who was the recipient, having advanced into goalscoring territory in an instant and after beating one man, produced the effort that Midmore turned into Heaume’s path.

That pair were nearly at it again minutes later, another exquisite Dyer ball finding Rihoy this time, who was able to head down into Heaume’s path, but this time the effort flew over Midmore’s goal.

Midmore would soon have to revert to picking the ball out of his net, as this time GFC did manage to get the third, through advanced skipper Cochrane with two minutes remaining.

Dyer’s stinging low effort hit team-mate Rihoy, but the winger did well to still produce a teasing low ball across the crowded area, the original effort having come about from a corner. Cochrane was there to bundle in from close range.

The best was yet to come in added time, unsurprisingly from that man Dyer again.

Two minutes over the allotted 90, his 25-yard dipping half volley gave Midmore absolutely no chance as it found his top corner, August’s goal of the month competition settled in an instant.

And with it, a mightily successful month for GFC drew to a close, one that has seen 21 goals rattled in during six games, four of those away, thus producing a goal difference that will count for an extra point come the end of the campaign.

It may still be very much in its infancy, but the Green Lions of Guernsey are well and truly making their presence felt on the non-league stage.