Cove (0) 2, Guildford City (0) 0
by Barry Underwood
Oh dear! City chose this encounter against the league’s basement side for their poorest performance of the season. Whether it was over confidence at facing a Cove side without a league win, and who had only scored three goals, but conceded 29 is anyone’s guess. But City huffed and puffed and in truth were beaten by a more passionate and hard working side. City attempted to play their passing game, building play from the back. But on a bumpy uneven pitch failure to kill the ball dead with a first touch, or an unexpected bounce, caused the breakdown in numerous moves, and frustratingly City’s opportunities in advanced positions were sadly few. City opened brightly enough and Jack Collins 30 yarder was well-saved at full-stretch by Ollie Short. But all too often Guildford struggled to play cohesive football with passes often over hit. Late in the half a fine Athan Smith-Joseph run saw the ball pulled back to Dan Stewart whose fierce effort was blocked.
Hopes that Guildford City would come out a different side in the second period were sadly mistaken, and indeed it was Cove who looked rejuvenated obviously sensing this was to be the day to break their duck. It was no great surprise therefore that from a breakaway following a Guildford corner Sam Rynam was able to shoot past Liam Beach to put the home side one ahead. City’s best efforts in front of goal came from set pieces and Jordan Taylor’s long throws but the fall just wouldn’t fall kindly in the box. On 66 minutes Cove notched their second to effectively clinch the match. A low cross from the left was met by an unmarked Sam Rynam who side footed home from 15 yards. In a vain effort to get something from the match City pushed players forward and Dan Stewart had a low effort parried by Short for a corner. The final say though came from Cove who would have scored a third but for Jack Collins tremendous goal-saving tackle. A very poor day at the office, but well done to Cove who looked far from a side without a point prior to the match.
Team: Liam Beach, Jordan Taylor, Connor Gales, Danny Akinwande, Matt York, Toby Johnson (Andy Ottley 56), Miguel Anderson, Jack Collins, Nathaniel Williams, Dan Stewart (Rory Cornelius 90), Athan Smith-Joseph (Edgar Morais 51). Unused subs Alex McWilliam.
Referee: Turan Yesilyurt
