Badshot Lea 3 Guildford City 2: Match Report

Badshot Lea (2) 3, Guildford City (1) 2

by Barry Underwood

It wasn’t a classic encounter but this game between Badshot Lea and Guildford City was enthralling just the same. That City lost by a late goal was disappointing as most people present would have felt a draw a fair result. Spectators still taking their places might have missed the game’s opening goal which came after just 45 seconds. City’s left-back Josh Ogunseye’s cross drifted towards goal where keeper Steve Haygove-Kameh misjudged the ball under the crossbar and his juggled attempt saw the ball cross the line. Possession in the first period was even, although edged by the home side. Guildford in their possession struggled to create genuine chances, although both Benga Ogunseye and Theo Woodhouse had worthy efforts on goal. Minutes after a defensive scramble in the City box Badshot Lea brought the scores level. A chance to clear was lost and the ball looped towards the back post where the waiting Brett Dunham headed over debutant keeper Devon Gordon and into the net. Dunham was soon on the scoresheet again when on 39 minutes a fine cross from the left was volleyed home from close range. City did have strong appeals for a penalty turned away after Benga Ogunseye went down whilst wriggling through a mass of bodies.

Guildford upped their performance after the break. Cyril Ocansey saw a hooked effort from the edge of the box brilliantly saved. The resulting in-swinging corner struck the front post and was scrambled clear again for another corner. This Bobby Webbe in-swinging corner was deeper and swung straight under the crossbar and over the line before being cleared. As with Guildford’s first score the assistant referee was perfectly placed to award the goal. City then enjoyed a strong spell. Benga Ogunseye cut in from the right but his shot drifted wide. Badshot Lea had recovered on the hour and a free header in the box went wide of the City goal. On 65 minutes Guildford had a golden chance of going ahead. Bobby Webbe’s shot was parried but Benga Ogunseye’s effort from the rebound bobbled just wide of an empty goal. Badshot Lea veteran Darren Blake broke into open space on the left but shot wide, whilst for City Theo Woodhouse’s deflected shot was saved well by Haygove-Kameh. Badshot’s match-winning goal came on 86 minutes when former Ascot player Ousmane Ralustani drove hard in from the left where his shot deflected off a defender and past Devon Gordon. In the final minutes Guildford pushed players forward in search of an equaliser. With gaps at the back Badshot Lea might have scored a fourth but the post and then Gordon came to Guildford’s rescue.

Team: Devon Gordon, Isy Nzelo, Josh Ogunseye, Theo Woodhouse, Nemo Adams, Josh Burrowes, Marlon Pinder, Ryan Dacres-Smith, Benga Ogunseye, Bobby Webbe (Josh Everard 84), Cyril Ocansey (Youcef Azzouz 75). Unused subs: Luke Beale, Dan Hurlow, Zack Basey.

Referee: Stephen Hawkes