Cobham (0) 0, Guildford City (2) 2
by Barry Underwood
Guildford City bounced back from two consecutive defeats with an impressive performance at the Leg o’ Mutton Field on Saturday. Right from the off the visitor’s took command, and with Dan Band and Theo Woodhouse re-united in midfield Guildford bossed the majority of the game, and if City’s finishing had been a little sharper the victory would have been more emphatic.
Eli Ogunseye down the right was at times unplayable and on three minutes he latched on to a loose ball in the box but couldn’t fashion space for a shot. City’s first goal came after eight minutes, and what a cracker it was, Bobby Webbe firing a 35 yard free-kick into the top corner. This wasn’t a one way encounter however. Cobham’s Gary Abisogun, playing just behind the striker, was a constant threat with the ball at his feet, and on 13 minutes Harry Walker fired a cross shot at goal that Stuart Norman had to push wide diving to his right. On 22 minutes Guildford went further ahead. Dan Band flicked a header on for Eli Ogunseye whose fierce effort was parried by Andy Westphal. Ogunseye’s second effort was blocked and at the third time of asking Kyen Nicholas was able to turn the loose ball home. Minutes later Bobby Webbe unleashed the first of several City thunderbolts from outside the box; all of which were straight at Westphal but a yard or so either side would have been unstoppable. Cobham did threaten with a number of free-kicks deep in City’s half, and their best chance fell on 37 minutes. A deep free-kick to the back-post caused confusion in the City defence and a free header in front of an empty net was headed over the crossbar. As the minutes ticked down to the interval it looked as if Nathaniel Williams had ended his goal drought when his goal bound effort was miraculously blocked at full stretch by a defender.
At the start of the second period Stuart Norman was forced into a smart save from a half-volley but thereafter Guildford had control of the match. Dan Band and Nathaniel Williams saw shots go wide of the target, and on 63 minutes a tantalising Williams run to the by-line saw his cross fall to Dan Band whose effort was blocked. Two minutes later Kyen Nicholas muscled his way through the last line of defence but his effort struck the foot of the post and was cleared. For Cobham the dangerous Abisogun saw a free-kick clear the crossbar but generally the City back four looked to have matters under control. With 20 minutes remaining Eli Ogunseye cut in from the right and saw a left foot effort blocked on the line. The ball fell to the edge of the box where Theo Woodhouse’s pile driver went straight to the keeper. On 73 minutes Ogunseye again cut in from the right and this time instead of taking on a shot himself he squared the ball. Credit though defender Sammy Taylor who made a brilliant block to prevent Kyen Nicholas sliding the ball home. In the closing minutes Cobham hit the wall from a free-kick and saw the effort from a rebound go over the bar. This was a dominant performance from City which sees them maintain their chase for top five finish.
Team: Stuart Norman, Sean Mason, Isy Nzelo, Theo Woodhouse, Nemo Adams, Billy Irving, Eli Ogunseye, Dan Band (David Burton 77), Kyen Nicholas, Bobby Webbe (Alex Cooper 82), Nathaniel Williams (Jordan Gallagher 71). Unused subs: Josh Burrowes, Luke Beale.
Referee: David Lunani
