Two-goal Matt Loaring

For as much as the Green Lions were full value for their win in the stunning surroundings of third-placed Westfield, they were far from their fluent peak and were helped out by some fine individual performances.

None more so than the magnificent Matt Loaring, who kept up his fine form of recent months with a deserved brace that sent GFC in at the break two to the good, after the most open and entertaining 45 minutes of the season.

This top of the table clash promised much and delivered it in that first period.

On another day, the home side could have made inroads, such was the quality of the chances they created in the early stages.

And although they were not clinical, their character could not be questioned as they were forced to respond to a GFC side that took a crucial early lead, after just four minutes.

Excellent work from the lively Ross Allen saw him get into a shooting position inside the area but he allowed the loose ball to fall to Loaring at close range.

His effort was completely mis-hit and looked as if it would be easily cleared, until full-back Jamie Doble and goalkeeper Mike Brawley left it to each other, realising too late their error as the ball nestled in the corner. The softest of goals for young Loaring.

Luke Winch also went close in a lively opening for the visitors, who were threatening when going forward all evening, but error-strewn in possession, albeit much-improved after the break.

Lions coach Tony Vance later admitted he was disappointed with the first-half display, with a number of players not performing at their optimum, although Loaring, Angus Mackay and Sam Cochrane can take credit from their efforts.

But that sloppiness could have been costly when Tom Hegarty was slid in on goal by Simon Sheppard with only keeper Paul de Garis to beat.

Hegarty inexplicably miskicked and the danger was gone.

Against a GFC team that has not conceded a goal in over a month, that was always going to be dangerous and they nearly paid the price when Loaring surged through on goal once again, this time his heavy touch forcing him too far wide to double the lead.

The youngster was at it again as he forced a fine stop from Brawley, while the Westfield stopper also made a fine double save soon after, denying both Allen and Winch in succession.

Doble nearly made another howler when his backwards header was only just kept out by team-mate Brawley, although GFC did double their lead on 39min. and this time there was no questioning the quality of the effort.

Allen did well to slide through Mackay, who in turn unselfishly slid the ball across the area to the oncoming Loaring, who buried into an empty net to give GFC daylight at the interval.

In fairness, that strike was the killer blow to Westfield, as GFC asserted themselves far better after the break.

Allen hit the side-netting from a one-on-one opportunity, while Black’s curling free kick was only narrowly wide, before the move of the match should have brought about the perfect opportunity for number three.

Wonderful one-touch football from the Lions all over the pitch, involving nearly every player, found its way to Allen, whose superb ball allowed Winch to bear down in dangerous territory.

His attempted flicked ball clearly hit a Westfield arm, but referee Jonathan Creswick was unmoved, turning down the most blatant of penalty calls imaginable.

As it turned out it did not matter greatly, although it was one of a number of questionable calls from Creswick, who was inconsistent in his decision-making as a number of GFC players were subjected to reckless challenges.

Tom Strawbridge was the unfortunate man to become a cropper, being substituted after picking up a whack on the nose, but the Lions kept their cool well to make the game safe with 20 minutes remaining.

Jacques Isabelle’s flighted ball into Allen’s feet was pinpoint and GFC’s star striker did the rest, sliding a ball across the six-yard box, demanding to be finished by the advancing Black. He did that in style and a delightful back-heeled flick found Brawley’s bottom corner.

And it was not long before three became four as Brawley’s smart save resulted in a loose ball that the grateful Heaume reacted to first to slot into the gaping net.

By this point, GFC had finally totally relaxed and played some neat stuff, which was rounded off by goal machine Allen in stoppage time, lobbing Brawley in a one-on-one battle to net his 17th in just 10 games of a remarkable campaign.

With Sheerwater at home to come at the weekend, followed by a marathon run of away fixtures, there is no doubt October will be the Lions’ defining month.

But anyone who questioned their ability to play on the road will think differently after this serious statement of intent that sees an unbeaten record stretch to 10 games, with 36 goals rattled in and none conceded in their last 575 minutes of action.

Westfield: Mike Brawley, Jamie Doble, Neil Roisetter, Charlie Newman, Andy King, Tom Hegarty, Adam Harding, Lee Allum (Rob Wilson 76), Shane

Cheeseman (Luke Beale 83), Rob Jones, Simon Sheppard.

Guernsey FC: Paul de Garis, Jacques

Isabelle (Chris Mauger 77), Sam Cochrane, Tom Strawbridge (Alex Le

Prevost 65), Jason Winch, Angus

Mackay, Ryan-Zico Black (Simon Geall 83), Dom Heaume, Luke Winch, Matt Loaring, Ross Allen.

Referee: Jonathan Creswick.Combined Counties League: Guernsey FC thump big rivals