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Combined Counties Premier League HANWORTH VILLA 3 Piggott, 56 pen; Higgs 57; M. Buss 76 GUILDFORD CITY 5 Banton-Brown, 23, 26, 88; Rivers, 69 pen; Thoroughgood, 82
Getting to a midweek game in Middlesex was not a straightforward matter and there was a bit of panic before the match as to how Brian the kitman was going to get up there. Luckily a bit of sweet-talking from Eddie persuaded Matt H and Joe to give Brian a lift, and they were joined by Dave S when they arrived – his journey a bit easier as his new work placement had started in Ealing. Villa’s ground, Rectory Meadow, had a great clubhouse and we were all extremely impressed with the burgers on sale. Outside, it was clear the pitch and stands were in a transition between CCL Div 1 and Premier with trees preventing any watching of the match behind one end of the ground. All-in-all though this was a place with good potential and friendly staff/committee members. It is fair to say that Guildford shaded the first half, creating the majority of chances (although not without a few scares). Danny Elgar and Anthony Bridgeman received loads of room down the wings and Villa’s defence seemed shakey at best. It was Lance who forged the first decent chance in the 4th minute, shredding his marker with his pace but firing straight into the keeper’s arms. A minute later Jamie King nearly forced a goal after his header was pushed out by Terry Buss, the Hanworth keeper, and only just gathered at the second attempt. More chances came the visitors way – Lance twice breaking through but failing to trouble the goalie. All this attacking play was leaving space at the back however and Hanworth should have done a lot better in the 10th minute – a player going one-on-one with the keeper and looking nailed on to score before shanking his shot horribly wide. City won a throw-in moments later, deep in their opponents half and Rivers turned and tried to lob the keeper from 30 yards – it nearly worked! The home side responded, winning two corners and firing wide of goal before City had yet another good spell of pressure. First Lance was brought down near the byline, with the freekick drifting behind and then Bridgeman went on a rampage down the right wing, unleashing a ferocious shot which went inches wide of the post. Back came the home side though, going extremely close with a header. It was Guildford who deservedly pulled ahead in the 23rd minute – another dangerous cross from Elgar not being properly dealt with by Villa’s defence and Lance firing home the loose ball. Things got even better three minutes later after a brilliant piece of overlapping play down the right wing. Elgar sent an inch perfect ball parallel to the touchline for Graham Tydeman to run onto, the City right back then firing a slide-rule pass into the path of Lance who slotted the ball home to make it 2-0. City were very much in control of the game at this moment and, had we not known our club so well, we should have been extremely confident of victory. Guildford continued to dominate, penning Hanworth into their half and switching the ball between the two wingers almost at will. Several corners ensued and culminated in Jamie King firing a powerful shot straight into the keeper’s arms. Lance then broke through again for the umpteenth time in the game but again his shot went into the keeper’s arms. The half concluded with a flurry of activity from both sides. First Villa went within a whisker of pulling a goal back – a powerful shot from the edge of the box being kept out by Hall but falling loose before Penson hooked it behind in the nick of time. Villa then fired wide from the resulting corner. At the other end another Elgar cross nearly found the head of Bridgey but was ultimately cleared. Halftime was a good opportunity to catch up with the students, particularly Joe and Dave who we hadn’t seen for some time. We were also given some great hospitality in the Villa clubhouse. It was almost tempting to stay in there with our pints but we managed to summon up the willpower to head out for the restart. Hanworth began the second half strongly but for the first five minutes or so, City were able to contain them. At the other end another good run from Bridgey led to the ball falling to Lance in the box and then being laid off to Jamie King who unfortunately skewed his shot wide. In the 54th minute a Villa defender brought down Lance and Ben Rayner fired a freekick just over the bar from the edge of the box. With things looking comfortable, City gave away a penalty when the ball was handled in the box. Adam Pigott stepped up and made no mistake, firing to Antony Hall’s left to reduce the deficit to 2-1. Barely had we drawn breath than Villa had equalised – a long ball finding Lee Higgs who tore past the sleeping City defenders and finished clinically past Hall. Why was this feeling so familiar? Suddenly Villa seemed to have a new lease of life and they started putting City on the rack. They were unlucky not to go ahead in the 62nd minute when a shot fired from an extreme angle went just over the bar. Crucially though they could not put their noses ahead and Guildford started to regain their composure, winning a corner a few minutes later which they could not capitalise on. In the 68th minute Lance was released down the centre once again, tore into the box and appeared to be brought down. Again the referee pointed to the spot and Sean Rivers stepped up to take the spotkick. The City striker sent his shot down the middle and it was saved by the legs of Buss. The ref pointed to the centre circle but the linesman was flagging that the keeper had been off his line. Villa were understandably furious but the kick was re-taken and this time Rivers fired the ball confidently home to put the visitors ahead once more. Guildford could and should have killed the game off but inexplicably they started to sit back and suddenly Villa were again making chances. A powerful shot rippled the side netting in the 73rd minute before the home side once again levelled the scores. A freekick was won near the byline around 20 yards out and another high ball was floated into the box and headed home by yet another member of the Buss clan (there were three of them on the pitch – this time it was Mark). The pressure continued and we all started getting very pessimistic, such is City’s capacity to throw away winning positions this season. Villa won a corner that failed to trouble City before winning another dangerous freekick – Hall plucking the ball superbly from the air. Guildford finally went on the offensive and won a freekick on the edge of the box after Jamie King was fouled in the 82nd minute – the Hanworth player earning himself a yellow card in the process. The delivery was excellent and Jamie Thoroughgood rose unmarked to head home his first ever goal for Guildford City and raise a cheer from the beleaguered fans. The match was far from over and a few minutes later Villa managed to head wide from a corner with the net gaping. Yet amid the pressure, the home side won a throw in that was cleared up the pitch and latched onto by Lance. The City striker rode a challenge in the box, saw his first shot rebound and then his second squirm under the keeper and into the net. There was time for a contentious corner in the final minute of stoppage time which the home side were adamant had crossed the line, before the referee blew for fulltime. HANWORTH VILLA: T. Buss; C. Byron; A. Buss (S. Doran, 90+4); D. Whatford; D. Noad; C. Hare (D. Antonio, 77); G. Jenkins; M. Buss; A. Pigott; S. Loveridge; L. Higgs Subs not used: J. Layden; L. Stevenson GUILDFORD CITY: A. Hall; G. Tydeman; T. Tydeman; T. Penson; J. Thoroughgood; J. King; A. Bridgeman; B. Rayner (T. Lineker, 83); S. Rivers (K. Tracey, 90); L. Banton-Brown (L. Bradnick, 90+2); D. Elgar Subs not used: J. Turner; G. Adesina Booked: None Referee: R. Wells
Combined Counties Premier League GUILDFORD CITY 0 CHESSINGTON & HOOK 2 Smith, 37; Todd, 54 Match photos After the excitement of Tuesday night’s game, hopes were high that City could keep scoring – perhaps with a lot fewer going in at our end this time. Moaning Tone was particularly pleased to be the sponsor of Lance Banton-Brown’s kit – the City striker being left in no doubt that Tony would be displeased if he did not keep scoring! Meanwhile we welcomed a few new students to the Spectrum who appeared to enjoy themselves despite what they termed the comedy defending. Chessington started the game well and were soon creating chances – a shot going just wide from close range in the 2nd minute. It was City though who were looking the most dangerous in the opening exchanges - Sean Rivers going close from a freekick on the edge of the box and Lance firing over the bar under the close attention of a Chessington defender. In the 16th minute Guildford would have gone ahead had it not been for a superb reflex save from keeper Mark Daniels who pushed a header, heading for the corner, out of harm’s way. The pressure continued and perhaps the key decision of the match arrived just a minute later. Lance once again beat the offside trap and appeared to be brought down when his path into the box was clear. Surely the defender was the last man and should be off? No the referee bottled it and gave the player a yellow card. The freekick came to nothing and City were back to square one once again. They continued to press however and Danny Elgar and Anthony Bridgeman caused real problems with their pace and crossing. Again the home side were unlucky not to score in the 23rd minute – an Elgar cross missing the head of Rivers and catching the perfectly placed Lance unawares. The visitors were far from quiet during this period and they nearly scored from a piledriver a few minutes later – the ball flying just over the bar and bouncing off the stanchion of the far post. They were nearly gifted a goal on the half hour mark when Jamie Thoroughgood uncharacteristically sent a sloppy pass into the path of an onrushing forward. Hall was on hand to save the day however with two brilliant point blank saves which saw the ball eventually go out for a throw-in. Guildford stuck to the task in hand and in the 33rd minute another pinpoint Elgar cross found Sean Rivers in the box, he advanced on goal but sent his shot over the bar from 6 yards!! The flag went up but we didn’t know whether it was for a goalkick or offside – let’s hope the latter!! Four minutes later the visitors grabbed the lead. A throw-in was won level with the City penalty area and the ball was flicked to the far post and the lurking Darren Smith, who headed the ball home unmarked. To their credit the home side were not discouraged by this setback and had two chances to equalise before the halftime whistle. First the ball was headed wide from an extreme angle after another of Elgar’s crosses and then Elgar himself saw the ball headed off the line following a freekick from the byline. We were all hopeful at halftime and headed to the clubroom for a drink or two. A very happy man was the Chessington chairman who had managed to win Golden Goal and the princely sum of £24.50. Both he and his wife had kept us all enthralled with their tales of watching every match at Wembley during the 66 World Cup. His wife had not missed a football match on a Saturday for 70 years she reckoned! Matt Howell, meanwhile, had constructed another “classic” chant for the visiting fans – Alton Towers is better than you! The second half started and the visitors must have been confident because they tried, Pele style, to score from the halfway line from the kick off – perhaps they thought Hall was off his line? Anyway the ball bounced harmlessly into the hands of the City keeper and was then launched back up the pitch. Any hopes we might have entertained of getting something from this game were swiftly dispatched however, when Chessington scored their second goal just 9 minutes in. It was a great goal from Scott Todd who, despite our chants of “girlie-hair” for his long locks and Alice band, had looked excellent all afternoon. The striker simply advanced on the Guildford defence who remained rooted to the spot and allowed him to get goalside and finish clinically. A freekick and a corner followed for the visitors but without success before the home side had a chance of their own – a freekick being pumped in and the ball fired well wide of the post around the hour mark. The balance of play now switched to the home side as the visitors sat back on their lead and allowed Guildford to come at them. Lance was working hard upfront, winning a freekick and two corners. The last of these, in the 69th minute, nearly gave the home side a ray of hope as the ball rebounded to Jack Turner who hit a thunderous shot at the goal which Daniels just kept out with his feet. Three minutes later came more frustration as a perfectly weighted ball hit the back of Lance’s foot and prevented him going through on goal. More chances came but none which really troubled Chessington. Bridgey headed over in the 73rd minute before Lance tried a lob from the edge of the box which just missed. Time was running out and we could not see our team winning this match despite the possession – it just wasn’t our day. This was confirmed when Bridgey hit another screamer from 25yards which went inches wide of the post and then, perhaps the best chance of all, Ben Rayner headed the ball towards the top corner only to see Daniels once again acrobatically turn the ball away with his fingertips. The visitors comfortably ran the time down, and the final action of the match, aside from the inevitable substitutions, was a yellow card for Graham Tydeman for a foul on Todd. GUILDFORD CITY: A. Hall; G. Tydeman; T. Tydeman; T. Penson; J. Thoroughgood (J. Turner, 64); J. King; A. Bridgeman; B. Rayner; S. Rivers (G. Adesina, 80); L. Banton-Brown (H. Carnegie, 80); D. Elgar Subs not used: T. Lineker; L. Bradnick Booked: G. Tydeman CHESSINGTON & HOOK: M. Daniels; J. Massing; M. Bhari; A. Heath; L. Canning; M. Jackson; D. Pitcher (M. Graca, 90+4); D. Smith (A. Davidson, 45); R. Jackson (R. North, 90+1); S. Todd; S. Graham Subs not used: M. Sharp; M. Todd Booked: M. Daniels; J. Massing; A. Heath; L. Canning; D. Pitcher Referee: E. Santos Attendance: 61 Combined Counties Premier Challenge Cup GUILDFORD CITY
1 CHESSINGTON & HOOK 0 Guildford City
progressed (eventually) to the next round of the Premier Cup with victory over Chessington
and Hook - who visited the Spectrum for the second time in five days, having won 2-0 here
the previous Saturday. After a dull 90 minutes of football that ended 0-0, we all expected
the match to be settled by penalties. It happened, but not in the way we thought, a
penalty scored by Sean Rivers gave City a 1-0 victory in extra time.
Combined Counties Premier League EGHAM TOWN 3 GUILDFORD CITY 2 Sean Rivers, Banton-Brown In stark
contrast to the Chessington match in midweek, this was a good match. City went 2-0 down
early on, but staged a second half fight back to level the score. However, another late
winner (albeit not as late as we're used to!) for Egham Town spoiled the day.
Combined Counties Premier League GUILDFORD CITY 3 Elgar, 4; Rivers, 49, 65, pen BANSTEAD ATHLETIC 1 Greenland, 73 CITY got back to winning ways in the league with this convincing victory over struggling Banstead Athletic. In truth the visitors were never really in this game as Guildford attacked with purpose and pace. Crucially they also put away their chances. Danny Elgar opened the scoring after just 4 minutes and Sean Rivers sealed the win with a tap-in and a penalty in the second half. Our pulses were set slightly racing when Banstead pulled a goal back but they did not have enough in the tank to really threaten City’s lead. We all converged on the Spectrum for our umpteenth home game this season. Incredibly, after a 2 game break for a holiday, I found the new students still coming along to watch. This after what I have been reliably informed was one of the worst games of football ever, in the cup on Wednesday. They must be keen! Guildford started the game well and Rivers really should have done better in the opening minute – heading wide from a freekick. It didn’t matter though because a few minutes later we were ahead. Danny Elgar received the ball on the left corner of the box and was forced to run along the edge of the area. He swiftly beat his man however, made some space and fired the ball home clinically – much to the delight of the home fans. Guildford continued to look the better team and seemed dangerous whenever they got the ball. In the 18th minute they won a freekick on the edge of the Banstead area which Ben Rayner was only able to fire into the mitts of their keeper – former City gaffer, Dave Tidy. A minute later came another freekick – Jamie King’s header being easily claimed this time round. The pressure continued and in the 24th minute Jamie Thoroughgood made a good run to the halfway line and then unleashed a terrific raking crossfield ball which must have travelled some 50 or 60 yards before landing perfectly in the path of Gabriel Adesina. Gabby beat his man and ran to the byline, eventually winning a corner which unfortunately could not be capitalised on. After their terrible start, the visitors started to find their feet, although they really were creating only half chances. On the half hour mark, Prendergast tried his luck, turning and shooting well over the bar from the edge of the box. A minute later the visitors had another go but a well hit curling shot was held by Hall. It wasn’t long before the home side were on the attack again – Adesina once again beating the Banstead defence with ease, and firing on goal. The shot was kicked out but hit Bridgeman who had run up in support and rolled just wide of the post for a goalkick. More possession followed for City and some good attacking moves but the final ball was not quite good enough. The half concluded with an acrobatic punch behind from Hall after a short period of pressure from the As before Adesina launched an exocet from some 35 yards out which went just over the bar. The whistle blew and for me it meant a stint helping Ros out in the snackbar – Jo the usual server, not being able to make it this time. So many mugs of Bovril were sold, I couldn’t believe it! I always think it’s like drinking gravy! Matt Brown’s no show due to being ‘hungover’ was also a subject of much amusement and a suggestion was put that I create a fake reference to him streaking across the pitch during this game. Hmmm, maybe I’ll hold that one in reserve…. The second half began and Banstead had clearly decided on a Plan B, making a double substitution within the first 5 minutes. It was to little avail however and within a minute Guildford were 2-0 up. A superb run down the right wing by Anthony Bridgeman proved too much for the As’ defenders and Bridgey reached the byline before knocking a slide-rule pass to Rivers at the near post. It was a simple matter for the completely unmarked City striker to fire the ball home. At last the visitors responded and started to look a lot more dangerous. A great cross on the hour mark was only just cut out by Guildford’s defence and moments later Chris Barns hit a powerful shot which flew into the hands of Hall. The recovery was short-lived however as Adesina soon went on another blistering run and was tripped in the area by David Hawkins. Rivers, City’s top scorer and penalty specialist – he has now scored 6 from 6 attempts in the last 8 matches – stepped up and fired the spot kick home comfortably. Banstead understandably threw caution to the wind at this point and started putting Guildford under pressure. In the 65th minute a long ball into the box was hit vertically into the air by Elvis Defreitas with As players running in from all sides. It was no problem for Hall however, who ran out of his box, jumped into the air and volleyed the ball into touch. Very impressive! The visitors continued to press, winning a freekick on the byline which ping-ponged around the penalty area and went behind for a corner – City’s defence clearing the resulting set piece. Moments later a pacey run down the wing and into the City box produced a powerful shot which Hall held well. Eventually the As got the goal their play deserved, the ball being crossed into the box from City’s right and finding Adrian Greenland completely unmarked some 6 yards out. The midfielder made no mistake, firing easily into the open net. For any other team a 2 goal lead with barely 15 minutes to go should not have been a cause for panic, but it was for the City fans!! Suddenly we got a little nervous as Banstead continued to dominate possession. Tempers frayed on the pitch too and Simon Cooper had a ‘handbags’ type encounter with an opposition forward shortly after pulling off an impressive block to prevent the ball being launched into the penalty area. We were a bit puzzled when the referee only booked Simon but at least the Guildford defender was still on the pitch. The corner was cleared before Hall held a well struck freekick from the edge of the area. The As then nearly notched a goal courtesy of a Guildford defender as he volleyed a cross behind but inches wide of the far post – yet again though Banstead could not convert the corner. The time was ticking down and we started to believe that City really could grab those much needed 3 points. The bulk of the chances were still falling to the visitors though – despite a goal for Lance which was ruled out for offside. In the 86th minute Hall pushed a deflected shot from outside the area, behind for another corner. He had only a fraction of a second to realign himself after the flight of the ball was changed so it truly was an excellent save. Guildford lived to fight another day and with Banstead seemingly spent, started to push forward again. Carnegie nearly scored a spectacular solo effort after running from the halfway line – his shot went just wide of the near post however with Lance unmarked to his right. Meanwhile Bridgeman created a hugely comic moment just before the end, leaping acrobatically to head the ball into touch but his momentum caused him to crash into the dugout – luckily without injury. The game concluded with a needless yellow card for Lance – the City striker kicking the ball away in frustration after a late offside flag – and most bizarrely of all, Harrison Carnegie being adjudged offside with some 3 opposition players between him and the goal! Still forget the quality, feel the points. GUILDFORD CITY: A. Hall; E. Defreitas (T. Arnold, 83); C. Knight; S. Cooper; J. Thoroughgood; J. King; A. Bridgeman; B. Rayner; S. Rivers (L. Banton-Brown, 69); G. Adesina (H. Carnegie, 69); D. Elgar Subs not used: J. Turner; L. Bradnick Booked: C. Knight; S. Cooper; L. Banton-Brown BANSTEAD ATHLETIC: D. Tidy; A. Paterson; T. Howton; S. Langley; J. Sims (D. Woods, 49); D. Hawkins (D. Laverick, 66); A. John; C. Barns; J. Kennedy (A. Greenland, 49); C. Prendergast; S. Sinclair Subs not used: M. Rouse; R. White Booked: T. Howton Referee: C. Readett Attendance: 41
Southern Combination Challenge Cup GUILDFORD CITY 2 Rivers, 77; Banton-Brown, 104 KNAPHILL 1 Baker, 31 After extra time Match
photos Midweek home games continue to provide their fair share of stress – particularly when illness takes its toll of matchday volunteers. Such was the problem for this game as both Chris and Brian had to call in sick. Luckily we were able to just about cope without them, although I managed to fall down the slope at the top of the ground whilst carrying a shed-load of kit!! We were pleased to welcome back some former Guildford City players in the form of Vic Flynn and Matty Edwards – both of whom started for the visitors. Guildford began the match brightly, pressurising the CCL Division 1 side almost from the off and hooking the ball wide of goal after a scramble in the box in the first minute. Things went rapidly downhill from here however, as Knaphill, who were unlucky not to secure a top three place last season, passed them off the park. Almost every attack seemed to cut City’s defence to ribbons although to be fair, Kevin had been forced to put two forwards in the centre of midfield – Rivers and Bridgeman. Tom Penson was feeling the pressure down the right wing and was lucky not to get booked when he took out an onrushing forward in the 10th minute. Two minutes later, after being caught offside, the Knappers again came forward and this time sent a player clear with no flag. Hall came out but was wrong footed leaving the goal gaping but somehow the ball was hoofed well over the bar. This let off was to no avail however and City continued to look ragged, conceding several corners. After a few close calls, their luck ran out in the 31st minute – Matt Baker finishing clinically from the edge of the box. We could not say Knaphill did not deserve it. Was this the wake-up call Guildford needed? Not really. Knaphill, sensed more blood and could have notched another just minutes after the goal but for a superb block tackle by a City defender. A change of tack was needed and Guildford started to try long balls in a bid to use the pace of Harrison and Lance but without success. They did finally start to test the keeper however, heading into Nick Rogers’s mitts from a corner and then, after a fine pass from Lance, Harrison firing a deflected shot just wide – the corner being cleared to safety. The half concluded with more chances for the visitors – gaining a dubious no-offside decision in the 43rd minute prior to Hall pulling off a superb point blank save. Moments later a pacey run to the byline ended in a shot being well held by the Guildford stopper. We trooped into the club rooms at the break, trying not to feel too depressed about the poor performance. Unbelievably there were a large number of students at the game – still not driven away by the bad football!! Certain members of the group were cheered by good half time scores for Chelsea and a win for Man Utd but there was little to say about Guildford. We can only imagine what Kevin said to his troops at halftime but they emerged fired up for the second half. Both Banton-Brown and Elgar went close in the opening minutes – the latter with an audacious lob which didn’t quite come off. Bridgey then went on a superb run, bamboozling defenders and appearing to advance into the box before being brought down. The referee blew for a foul – a penalty surely? No he gave a freekick right on the edge of the box much to everyone’s annoyance, which Lance could only fire over the bar. Knaphill responded and Hall made a fine judgment in not trying to stop a shot which ended up being flashed just an inch or so wide of the post. City then brought Chaplin on for Bradnick in the first substitution of the game for either side. Unfortunately the Guildford defender’s first action was to go in two footed on a player – earning him a rather fortunate yellow card. The momentum was building however with both Lance and Harrison finding space and causing problems for the visitors. In the 69th minute, Danny Elgar, continuing to look impressive down the left wing, slipped the ball to Bridgey in the box who fired just wide. Knaphill responded and started stitching together some impressive short passes. We would have applauded if this had resulted in a goal a la Argentina in the 2006 World Cup; and it would have done had Hall not turned the resulting shot behind with another excellent save. Guildford once again took control of possession however, heading wide from a corner before Hall was nearly lobbed after coming to clear a hoofed ball down the pitch. At last the breakthrough came however, a freekick won near the edge of the area and Lance meeting it with an exquisite header which the keeper could only spill into the path of Rivers who fired it home. Guildford proceeded to dominate the remainder of the half but without being able to notch the killer goal. They had a strike disallowed for offside, shortly before Lance was sent clear but could not get the ball under control. And so the game went to extra time. The home side were by this point completely in control of the match – whether due to superior fitness or the momentum from the equaliser – and they quickly won a corner. The visitors responded with a cross which was easily held by Hall before Adesina appeared to be held back from connecting with a Banton-Brown cross in the penalty area – again there was no spot kick. Finally Guildford got the goal their pressure had deserved – Lance being sent clear and this time firing clinically into the top corner from close range. The second period was all City and they could have scored more. A brilliant short corner in the 108th minute brought an excellent header from Adesina which the Knappers keeper only just got to. A further City header was held and a Banton-Brown shot fired just wide before the whistle blew for the end of the tie. GUILDFORD CITY: A. Hall; T. Penson; T. Arnold (C. Knight, 79); S. Cooper; J. Thoroughgood; A. Bridgeman (G. Adesina, 97); L. Bradnick (T. Chaplin, 57); S. Rivers; L. Banton-Brown; H. Carnegie; D. Elgar Subs not used: A. Ducran; J. Campbell Booked: A. Hall; T. Chaplin KNAPHILL: N. Rogers; S. Harvey; G. Brainch; N. Miles (B. Murphy, 113); V. Flynn; B. Cann; C. Fox; N. Darnell (T. Davis, 113); R. Hogsden; M. Baker; M. Edwards (G. Campbell, 113) Subs not used: L. Fisher Referee: L. Gordon Attendance: 42
Combined Counties Premier League CROYDON 1 Ikocodo, 45 GUILDFORD CITY 0 Match photos This was a simple fixture to get to for the majority of City’s playing staff – although Slough-based Tony Chaplin did turn up later having got a bit lost. For the Guildford contingent (or at least those stupid enough to leave the M25 at junction 7 rather than 6) it was rather less straightforward. Lofty had posted travel advice on how to get to the Croydon athletics stadium prior to the match and recommended getting there by train and tram. Ha! I thought, I’ve tried that before – I’ll drive. Chris’s Pegman and Lucas (nicknamed Josephine and Pedro to avoid confusion) joined me and everything went well until we hit Purley Way and ended up in one traffic jam after another. With Josephine (Pegman) and Pedro (Lucas) map-reading we finally made it and I hurried to get the teamsheet to the referee. Lofty meanwhile, had been sinking pints in the clubhouse for best part of an hour! Croydon’s ground, an athletics arena like the Spectrum was quite impressive – largely due to the stand which enabled a good view of the action – and a narrower running track which allowed us to see the game at closer quarters. The committee were extremely hospitable and we enjoyed chatting to them after the match about the various irritations of using an athletics ground – not least recovering all the matchballs! Both sides matched each other blow for blow for much of the first half. In the opening minutes, a good cross and a corner from the home side caused problems whilst City won a corner and freekick. Croydon looked dangerous going forward – their powerful forwards stretching the Guildford defence but not to breaking point. This was a match characterised by injuries – perhaps not surprising on a pitch with longer grass than usual and on which torrential rain had been falling all morning – and around the 10th minute, Trams midfielder Chincharo had to leave the pitch after an accidental knock in the face. The visitors responded after the substitution and Elgar as he always seems to, looked dangerous. In the 13th minute he beat his man and sent in a peach of a cross which both Rivers and Banton-Brown rose to meet but could not connect with. A cross from Tom Penson a few minutes later drew a similar blank. Elgar then turned villain with an ambitious cross to Elvis which was easily claimed by Croydon, allowing a counter-attack from which Cooper was forced to give away a corner. Luckily this flew over the penalty area and into touch. The defensive errors were not complete however as Tom Penson sent a clearance vertically into the air and then tried to head the ball to Hall with a Trams forward hanging off his shoulder. Thoroughgood saw the danger and averted a certain goal with a good block. Then in the 22nd minute came another let-off – Hall flapping at a cross allowing a striker through who very fortunately slipped at the point of shooting. The visitors recovered their composure and started to look threatening again, although with little end product. Bridgey really should have done better on the half hour mark when he broke through, got into the box with the keeper advancing off his line but could only fire a weak, wayward shot. Lance did a little better a few moments later, running along the byline and winning a corner, however the set piece was cleared allowing a counter attack. Hall did well to come out and try to tackle the forward before getting back to his line in time to hold the shot. Lance then had a half chance – latching onto a goalkick but not quite beating Trams keeper Dean Cupit to the ball. Back came Croydon and Penson did extremely well to dispossess one of their forwards after he had bamboozled the normally excellent John Cooper. Guildford went on the attack once again – new boy Liam Harwood showing his ability with a fabulous through-ball to Elgar. Danny won a throw-in but Jamie Thoroughgood could only hook his shot over the bar. The second major injury of the half occurred around the 40th minute – Dean Cupit turning to pick up a ball which had rolled behind him, slipping and then lying on the ground in obvious pain. It took 5 minutes to stretcher him off the pitch, bring on a substitute and for Croydon skipper Rob Bartley to take his place between the sticks. Far from being disheartened by the loss of their keeper, the home side pushed forward positively, scoring a disallowed goal from an offside position before catching the City defence flat-footed and crossing across the face of goal. On the stroke of halftime they went ahead – a long ball fell to Elvis who started shepherding it back to Hall on the corner of the area. The ball lacked pace however and a Croydon forward advanced quickly to intercept it – Hall realising the urgency and diving for the ball but missing. Tom Penson ran back to the goal-line but too late to prevent an easy tap in for Nigel Ikocodo. The half ended with a half chance for Bridgey – firing off the bar and behind from an extreme angle. Guildford began the second half strongly – heading over from a corner in the 47th minute before Danny Elgar tried his luck with a good looking long range shot which went just over the bar. The match quickly settled into a bit of a stalemate however, as the Trams defended resolutely and Guildford found their opportunities limited. Both Jamie Thoroughgood and Croydon striker Junior Gyimah were booked before Ben Rayner tried an audacious long range shot in the 67th minute, again without success. Guildford kept up the pressure however, with Lance finally breaking through but having a foul controversially awarded against him. A freekick followed for the visitors and another good cross from Elgar but there was no City head on either of them. Bridgeman then appeared to have beaten the offside trap but the linesman thought otherwise. Never a great game of football, this match was definitely taking a turn for the worse in terms of entertainment value. This was lifted briefly in the 80th minute when stand-in keeper Rob Bartley tried to score from a freekick deep in his own half. It was a good effort too – Hall having to get well behind the line and stretch his arms to catch it and prevent it creeping under the bar. There followed some desultory efforts from Gyimah – although he should definitely have done better when through on goal in the 90th minute. At the other end City failed to trouble their opponents from a freekick and a shot from the edge of a crowded penalty area from Adesina. Guildford could have played for the rest of the weekend and not scored and it was almost a relief when the whistle blew. CROYDON: D. Cupit (L. Brett); L. Goddard; J. Gladwin; L. Headley; R. Bartley; N. Sophonie; B. Chincharo (R. Davis, 11); J. Grant; J. Gyimah; N. Ikocodo (J. Pitt); M. Shugaa Subs not used: D. Babalolo Booked: J. Gyimah GUILDFORD CITY: A. Hall; E. Defreitas (T. Chaplin, 68); T. Penson; J. Cooper; J. Thoroughgood (C. Knight, 80); Liam Harwood; A. Bridgeman; B. Rayner; S. Rivers; L. Banton-Brown; D. Elgar (G. Adesina, 86) Subs not used: H. Carnegie; J. Turner Booked: J. Thoroughgood; B. Rayner Referee: H. Achegenui Attendance: 49
Combined Counties Premier Challenge Cup Round 2 WARLINGHAM 1 Jansen, 90+1 GUILDFORD CITY 5 Rivers, 5; Adesina, 51; Cooper, 62; Elgar, 67; Bradnick, 80 CITY progressed to the 3rd round of the League Cup in style with this 5-1 demolition of CCL Division 1 side Warlingham. They started the match confidently – Rivers scoring after a freekick move straight off the training ground, yet the remainder of the half was pretty even and either side could have capitalised. The second half belonged to Guildford, however, as they stepped up a gear and well and truly put the tie to bed. Adesina finished from a freekick, minutes after the restart, with Cooper sliding home a 3rd and Elgar finishing clinically from a counter-attack. A superb cross allowed Bradnick to notch his first goal for City before the Hammers added some respectability to the scoreline with a fine strike from outside the penalty area. We all converged on Merstham’s ground with plenty of time before kick off – no-one having gone to Warlingham’s old ground, although as usual Harrison Carnegie and Jack Turner managed to get lost!! There were concerns they would not make it in time for kick off but luckily the pair arrived in time to warm up and play. There was a good turn-out of supporters too – Mr Pegman, Eddie and Ros plus Matt H, the two Chris’s, Sam, (Mystic) Doug, Terry T and myself. As mentioned, City started the match in the best possible way. A freekick was won near the edge of the area on City’s right wing and the ball was unexpectedly dinked to the far post. Sean Rivers latched onto the ball and half volleyed it into the roof of the net before anyone on the Warlingham team could react. I was later told that this move had been perfected in training. The home side were not disheartened however and quickly came back into the game – firing wide in the 14th minute after a decent move. The visitors responded with Adesina shooting on goal and seeing his shot deflected behind for a corner which was cleared by the Hammers’ defence. A fine cross from Elgar then narrowly missed the head of Rivers in the box. Another chance came the home side’s way in the 23rd minute – James Cecil heading wide from a good cross before Adesina once again saw a shot go wide of the mark. Warlingham’s best chance of the first period came on the half hour mark – Danny McDiarmid was sent clear and seemed odds on to score but for a great save from Hall which saw the ball pushed behind, the corner being cleared. The home side continued to have chances and fired a freekick well over City’s bar, a minute or so later. Hammers’ right back, James Hodge then had a good headed chance shortly before being booked for deliberate handball in the 40th minute. The remainder of the half was uneventful – City having a lot of possession and firing some decent crosses into the Warlingham penalty area but without result. So the match was clearly far from won at half time and we all trooped into the fine clubhouse desperately hoping that it would not go the way of 3 other cup ties this season – extra time! There was time to update the stragglers who had not made it to the game before the whistle blew for the second half. There was one change after the restart – Anthony Bridgeman was brought on for Banton-Brown, Lance having been hobbling badly towards the end of the first half. He was later found to have broken a bone in his foot. Guildford started well, however, and quickly won a freekick after a City player was fouled on the edge of the box: the offender, Paul Stuart earning himself a yellow card. The ball was chipped into the area and headed on by Jamie King to Gabriel Adesina who finished at the far post. This second goal seemed to kill the home side’s spirit and suddenly it was all City. Ten minutes later, it was 3-0 – Warlingham earning another booking and conceding a freekick on the edge of the area. The ball was once again dinked in and somehow evaded every Hammers defender before Simon Cooper slid in to push the ball over the line. The home side made a double substitution at this point – Robert Brown and Anthony Williams joining the fray – but they just could not regain control of the game. Sean Rivers went extremely close in the 66th minute, chipping the ball over the stranded Murch and just wide of the goal, and a minute later City were on the scoresheet again. Danny Elgar intercepted a cross field pass and, with the defence back pedalling to catch him, tore down the centre of the park and fired into the bottom corner of the net from 15 yards out. Things got worse for Warlingham a few minutes later when their skipper Hodge was given a straight red after a tangle with a City player. Play eventually restarted and Guildford continued to go on the attack. Bridgey was unlucky not to score in the 78th minute – making space but seeing his shot blocked at the last minute. The home side did their first effort of the half a minute later however, Anthony Williams hitting a decent shot which was well held by Hall. Rivers responded by firing a shot just wide. The 5th goal followed soon after – Danny Elgar, who had been at the centre of so much during the game, fired a perfect cross into the box which found substitute Luke Bradnick completely unmarked 6 yards out. The City midfielder finished impressively, curling the ball past Murch with the outside of his foot. Still the visitors pressed and Murch pulled off an excellent save to deny Rivers in the 83rd minute. Moments later Harrison and King could not quite combine to score Guildford’s 6th. As the 90 minute mark arrived it appeared that City would record their biggest win in 2 seasons and keep a clean sheet to boot. We should have known better with the latter prediction. In the 91st minute, the Hammers won a freekick in a central position on the edge of the box. Dean Jansen stepped up and fired a screamer into the back of the Guildford net, with Hall rooted to the spot – either he or the wall should have done better. Still, Guildford could console themselves with a place in the 3rd round against North Greenford and plenty of positives to take into the match against Horley on Saturday.
WARLINGHAM: T. Murch; J. Hodge; M. Brown; D. Pledge; P. Nash (R. Brown, 63); J. Cecil; B. Stuart (A. Williams, 63); D. Amsbury (D. Jansen, 69); P. Stuart; D. McDiarmid; L. Neaves Subs not used: L. Brady; D. Robinson Booked: J. Hodge; J. Cecil; P. Stuart Sent off: J. Hodge GUILDFORD CITY: A. Hall; E. Defreitas; T. Penson; S. Cooper; T. Tydeman (L. Bradnick, 72); J. King; H. Carnegie; G. Adesina (T. Arnold, 69); S. Rivers; L. Banton-Brown (A. Bridgeman, 46); D. Elgar Subs not used: J. Turner Booked: T. Tydeman; S. Rivers Referee: S. Earl Attendance: 45
Combined Counties Premier League GUILDFORD CITY 1 Carnegie, 36 HORLEY TOWN 1 Pullen, 38 CITY were unlucky not to win this game – putting their opponents under pressure for much of the match and forging a number of chances. Guildford opened the scoring - Carnegie notching his first goal in 7 starts with a screamer from the edge of the area. City’s lead lasted just two minutes however as Horley caught their defence napping, allowing Adam Pullen to score with a strike of some quality. The second half saw both sides go close but with City asking more of the questions. They just could not finish off any of the chances. A few of our committee were out for this match. Mr Pegman was on a weekend away with his other half and Paul M could not make it because apparently it was his birthday! Meanwhile Matt Brown was again missing (asleep) so I took responsibility for the gate alongside Doug. We had a decent enough attendance by this season’s standards, including a few more students which was good to see. The omens weren’t good for a win for either side however with Horley already having drawn 7 games this season and Guildford without a league win in 4 – so I hoped they would want to come back! Neither side looked likely to score from the opening exchanges and the first chance of any note fell to City in the 13th minute – a corner being whipped in by Elgar but no player being there to knock it home at the far post. Five minutes later Elgar again curled in a shot which Jack Turner could not quite get his head to. Horley were starting to liven up however and could have taken the lead in the 21st minute when Hall was forced to come out to dispossess a forward and missed. The Clarets player could only weakly shoot, allowing Tommy Tydeman to nip in and collect the ball. He then passed to Hall and we all expected our goalkeeper to go on a blistering run down the wing. Luckily he just hoofed the ball down the pitch to safety. City were immediately on the attack and a fabulous through ball from Adesina found Jack Turner but with no end product. Guildford went closer moments later though, winning a corner which was drilled in to the far post. Jamie King knocked the ball back across goal and Gabriel Adesina, sliding in, sent the ball just wide. The visitors responded and Hall pulled off a good save at close range on the half hour mark. The ball looped in the air and was cleared by Tom Penson – calls for handball being waved away by the referee. Back came City - Simon Cooper firing a powerful but misdirected freekick into the mitts of the Clarets stopper James Wastell in the 34th minute. A minute later it got better – Guildford again carved the Horley defence apart and Adesina fired a shot on goal which was blocked and rebounded to Carnegie. Harrison, made some space and then curled a sublime shot over the keeper, off the bar and into the net. Our elation lasted all of 2 minutes unfortunately. Horley went on the attack down the Guildford right and the ball was laid off for Adam Pullen who tore into the box and unleashed a strike to match ours, the ball flying unstoppably into the far bottom corner of the net. Both sides seemed to wake up after this – Jamie King firing weakly into the keeper’s mitts from an Elgar cross in the 40th minute while Horley’s counter-attack straight after led to Hall hurting himself in a bid to clear the ball. The home side had the last decent chance – a corner being drilled in, cleared and Carnegie shooting wide. After a reasonably uneventful halftime – well aside from Matt and I managing to persuade a new City supporter to come and join the Sweeney in the stands – the players trooped out for the second half. Horley began well and two minutes in won a freekick – the ball ping-ponging around the Guildford penalty area before being headed wide. The home side recovered, however, and started to create some good chances. In the 53rd minute Adesina tore into the box and beat his man on the byline before unleashing a ferocious shot from close range which Wastell just managed to push wide. Moments later Danny Guscott, the Clarets defender, received a ball in the face and there was a long break in play while he was treated and then substituted. The gap seemed to suit the visitors and they went extremely close in the 62nd minute – George Smith beating the offside trap and firing just wide when clean through on goal. The home side upped their game and began to create good chances of their own. Harrison Carnegie, after a period on the bench in previous games seemed rejuvenated and was at the centre of a lot of the moves. He should have done better in the 67th minute, however, after receiving another great Elgar cross but he got the ball caught under his feet. A corner followed for the visitors which was easily dealt with and then City went on the attack again – a freekick flying into the mitts of Wastell and Cory Knight heading over after Graham Tydeman had run onto an exquisite long ball and crossed from the byline. The final 10 minutes saw chances for both sides but it was Guildford who should arguably have grabbed the winner. Jamie King sent a header wide from a freekick and on the stroke of 90 minutes Danny Elgar was sent clear, his lay-off for King only resulted in the ball being kicked wide. The visitors had the final chance, winning a freekick near the corner flag which did not trouble City. GUILDFORD CITY: A. Hall; T. Tydeman; T. Penson; S. Cooper; J. Thoroughgood; J. King; J. Turner (C. Knight, 68); B. Rayner; G. Adesina (G. Tydeman, 77); H. Carnegie; D. Elgar Subs not used: L. Bradnick; A. Bridgeman Booked: T. Tydeman; J. Thoroughgood HORLEY TOWN: J. Wastell; L. Forsdick; D. Medhurst; A. Jupp; D. Guscott (H. Williams, 59); J. Eldred; A. Pullen; C. Smith; G. Smith; T. Melvin; L. Brown-Ford Subs: M. Death; D. Roffey Booked: A. Pullen Referee: M. Carmichael Attendance: 50
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IN THE words of several officials
afterwards, this game had 0-0 written all over it.