Camberley Town (2) 4, Guildford City (2) 2
by Barry Underwood
Well the obvious thing to say is that this was the archetypal game of two halves and that would be correct. Guildford City gave an excellent account of themselves in the first period, but was ultimately undone by two goals in three minutes either side of the interval; the first of them frustratingly coming with the very last kick of the first half. The second period belonged to the home side that certainly upped the ante and their powerful and direct approach certainly caused City problems as the game progressed. It was amusing to hear at one stage a Camberley player berating a colleague with “stop passing it kick it “and that summed up Camberley’s approach to the game but it can’t be argued that it wasn’t effective.
The first chance in the match fell to City when a ball forward bounced over the defence and Matt Anton found himself in space. Mindful perhaps of his profligacy at Badshot Lea he delayed to pick his shot but in so doing a defender was able to get across with a last ditch block. A minute later Camberley responded by taking the lead themselves. Rob Lazarczuk found himself in space from a long ball and he had the composure to dummy the last line defenders to slide the ball home. Camberley were posing a threat with “Delap-like” long throws and on 14 minutes Liam Beach saved well at his right hand post. In an eventful opening Guildford got back on level terms courtesy of an error from Camberley keeper Craig Bradshaw who sliced his kicked clearance and Adam Nditi reacted well to turn the ball home with some aplomb. Having equalised City now looked the better side and they went ahead from the penalty spot after 22 minutes. A free-kick was lofted towards the far post where Martin Dynan was bundled over and it was Adam Nditi who stepped up to calmly slot home the penalty. Guildford looked comfortable for the remainder of the half, until that is the very last kick. A deep cross from the left was met by Dan Turner’s head at the far post and early substitute Perry Coles had the simple task of heading the ball over the line.
Within three minutes of the restart Perry Coles pace took him clear from a simple ball over the top and he shot past Beach to give the home side the lead. This visibly set City back on their heels and on 53 minutes Camberley extended their lead with Matt Bunyan shooting home at the far post. Guildford couldn’t get their passing game moving as effectively as the first half and the light-hearted comment amongst the travelling Sweeney was that “City are a warm weather team”. City did have one further chance in the final minutes when after Curtis George’s fine run to the by-line his pull-back was miskicked by Nathan Chambers in front of goal. Clearly Camberley were the better side in the second period and this victory will have maintained their championship challenge. Guildford for their part once again showed enough, especially in the first-half, to prove they are a more than useful side and that better results are not far away.
Team: Liam Beach, Tom Booth, Liam Flanighan, Matt York, Martin Dynan (Darren Caesar 53), Harry Driver (Curtis George 53), Josh Everard (Nathan Chambers 70), Adam Turner, Matt Anton, Adam Nditi, Bradley Pegg, Unused subs: Callum Sexton, Remi Mongeaud.
Referee: Zack Jacquart
