It was a steep learning curve for Guernsey FC Women as they stepped out at Footes Lane for their first ever game on home soil.
Ultimately visitors Sutton United proved too strong, taking a 4-1 victory, but the lessons learnt can now be transferred into finishing off an impressive unbeaten record in the Jersey league with a run of more home fixtures.
The Green Lionesses packed out the Footes Lane stand, with 706 people cheering them on, the biggest attendance at a football match there so far this season.
Guernsey took the lead in the sixth minute of this Combined Counties Women’s Cup third round fixture.
Calleigh Hedley’s spectacular lob was her 20th goal in 12 appearances.
The visitors levelled on 25 minutes. A ball into the right channel set Milly Cutler away and she drove the ball under Kayleigh Marquis into the far corner from just inside the box.
They were ahead 11 minutes later, with Cutler bundling her second over the line at the far post after a scramble from a corner.
Sutton took full control early in the second half, Cutler being taken down in the penalty area after picking the ball up from a loose GFC pass. Beth Humphrey scored the penalty.
Guernsey FC had created chances throughout the fixture and were searching for their second when they were caught out in injury time.
Amelia Halawi through by a header before squaring for Ilana Harris-Walters to tap in the fourth.
The Green Lionesses’ next home outing is scheduled to be against Jersey Wanderers Women on 2 March at 10:30.
Guernsey FC Women: 21 Kayleigh Marquis; 2 Scarlett Kenneally; 3 Scarlett Gallagher; 4 Aimee Ogier; 5 Vicki Rang; 6 Chloe Ingrouille; 7 Codie Le Flem; 8 Candice Bougourd (c); 9 Calleigh Hedley; 10 Donna Gallienne; 11 Elise Le Lacheur. Subs used (rolling): 1 Emma Queripel; 12 Amy Dallamore; 14 Adrienne Leech; 15 Gracia Van Zutphen; 16 Heather Smith.