Bedfont Sports 1, Guernsey FC 3
THE challenge has been laid down loud and clear – stop us if you can.

Guernsey FC delivered their biggest statement yet as they made a mockery of their unbeaten opponents’ league position, outplaying Bedfont Sports from start to finish.

And to say the home side were physical opponents would be an understatement. In truth, they were fortunate to finish with the 10 men they did, Harry Driver seeing red from referee Michael Boshell, who did not enjoy his finest hour as his bad decisions dominated proceedings.

One of those, a bizarre late sending off of Kieran Mahon levelled numbers and briefly threatened GFC’s victory after yet again racing into a three-goal lead.

But they were never in any real trouble as they produced arguably their finest performance yet, orchestrated by the masterful Ryan-Zico Black, running the show from a deep-lying central midfield role.

That was one of a number of big tactical decisions by Tony Vance, including playing a midfield diamond and shifting Jamie Dodd to left-back and it made an impact within three minutes.

Mahon’s curling free-kick in from near the right touchline found Dom Heaume unmarked and he impressively headed past Daryl Pelton and his side into an early lead.

That GFC duo were also at the forefront of a sizzling first-half performance, where the Green Lions were first to every ball and zipped it around with a pace and vibrancy that is fast becoming their trademark.

With Bedfont not at the races early on, Allen could have made it two had his run onto Black’s wonderful 40-yard ball been fractionally later, the offside flag denying him.

The same man troubled Pelton soon after, while Mahon came close with a rising effort, with chances and openings being created seemingly at will.

Luke Winch could not quite direct his effort on target from range after being forced to go alone and beating a combination of players along the way, but he hit the target with his next opportunity after good work by Jacques Isabelle.

On that occasion, though, Pelton was his match with a fine sprawling save at his top corner.

But it was on 35min. where Pelton was the real saviour, as he denied what would have been the goal of the season at the end of a GFC move that illustrated the undoubted gulf in class.

Isabelle, Heaume and Black were all involved in the slick one-touch build-up play, before Allen went on a mazy run, starting all of 30 yards from goal.

After beating everyone in his way, a dribble count that included up to five opponents, only Pelton’s smothered save could deny Allen from adding to his 27 goals this season.

But after an entertaining opening, things were unfortunately beginning to get more unseemly, as the first of a series of wild challenges began to come in from Bedfont, who collectively lost their heads and discipline.

Jake Saville was fortunate to escape punishment for his infringement on Black, but GFC were continuing to create openings, Allen going close on two further occasions.

And the lead was finally doubled in first-half added time, that man Heaume making it 11 for the season and giving his side the cushion their efforts undoubtedly warranted.

Dodd’s long throw in was mishandled by Pelton under pressure from Heaume, who was also first to react to the loose ball and fired into the roof of the net from close range.

Bedfont should have ended the half with 10 men, as Saville kicked out at Allen off the ball, but somehow the linesman missed the offence, despite the GFC man being felled five yards away.

But it was not long before Boshell did have his red card out, as Driver received his marching orders four minutes after the restart.

His lunge on Mahon was wild and over the top of the ball, so he can have no real complaints about the severity of the punishment dealt.

A Black corner was somehow diverted away from danger as GFC looked to make their man advantage count, which should have become a two-man one on the hour mark.

Winch surged through on goal and rounded Pelton, but the keeper hacked him down in the process.

Boshell duly pointed to the spot but inexplicably only showed the keeper a yellow, despite it being an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

However, he could still not keep out Allen’s spot kick as he was sent the wrong way.

It was the third successive away match that the Lions have opened up a 3-0 cushion, but that was eaten into almost immediately, Saman Kanani pulling one back with a low effort past Tardif on 64min. to give his side the smallest of lifelines.

Jordan Vidal was the next to escape punishment after bringing down Isabelle, before Mahon picked up his first caution for an innocuous skirmish with home captain Gavin Bamford.

Allen troubled Pelton again, before Boshell’s worst moment of madness robbed GFC of the superb Mahon.

After Pelton had dribbled out of goal and given the ball away to Allen, a mistake he rectified by getting a clean tackle in, Mahon knocked the ball past him and headed for goal.

At this point the Bedfont No. 1 effectively rugby tackled the youngster to block his progress and a second yellow seemed a certainty.

Boshell saw otherwise and awarded a free-kick the way of Bedfont, before then deciding to compound the howler by giving Mahon his second caution and the subsequent red, the nature of the offence unclear.

Isabelle was fortunate to escape serious injury after again becoming the victim of a lunge in added time.

It was a tackle that curtailed his involvement in the game and he was replaced by Simon Geall.

Boshell’s final whistle blew soon afterwards, signalling GFC’s progress to a 14-point cushion at the top of the table.