City’s BRUCE MCPHAIL shot saved
Farnham Town (0) 0, Guildford City (1) 1
by Barry Underwood
City’s SAM SPENCER scores from the spot
Guildford City deservedly got their season up and running with an excellent performance and result at Farnham Town’s West Street ground. In front of a large Sweeney following that comprised more than 50% of the total attendance, City dominated proceedings throughout and but for a stand-out performance by young Kallum Lunn in the home goal, the score line would have been very much higher in Guildford’s favour.
City should have opened the scoring after just three minutes. Antony Hall’s quick clearance found Sam Spencer who shot wide when in a good position. Similarly a fine passing movement involving Khari Oriogun and Anthony Baker saw Spencer’s attempted volley spiral harmlessly wide. Guildford were playing some scintillating football and they came close to open the scoring after 17 minutes. Ben Rayner’s cross found Oriogun in the box who was then bundled over in the act of shooting. The ball fell to Anthony Baker whose fiercely hit effort was cleared off the line at full stretch. City did take the lead on 24 minutes. An almost identical incident saw Baker brought down as he went past a last defender and Sam Spencer slotted home from the spot. Looking to take advantage of their possession City three times were denied by Lunn’s flying saves in the final moments of the first half; Sam Spencer, Bruce McPhail and Jack Guilford all being denied by flying saves.
City’s ANTHONY BAKER hits woodwork
Guildford opened the second half in the same vein and Khari Oriogun’s threatening run down the left saw his final shot saved low down by Lunn. City almost made a further breakthrough on 56 minutes when Anthony Baker’s cross found Oriogun in the box. At the second attempt his effort was blocked by a lunging leg and Bruce McPhail’s thunderbolt effort from the rebound once again found Lunn saving at full stretch. On the hour City visibly took their foot off the pedal and Farnham had more possession of the ball, but the defence superbly marshalled by Liam Harwood and Ray Guilford kept the hosts at bay and limited to long range efforts. Just as City started to wilt Liam Talbot’s arrival from the bench breathed fresh life and energy into the side, and in the final stages it was City once more looking to add to their goal tally. With five minutes remaining fellow substitute Tyler Chambers did well on the edge of the box and his shot was heading for the top corner until Lunn got across to make yet another top class save.
City’s ELVIS DEFRIETAS
There was time at the end for Elvis Defreitas, who had enjoyed an excellent match, to gallop clear with the ball. Advancing on goal Elvis suddenly remembered that he hadn’t scored for City in 156 appearances and he chose to pass and the chance was gone. A single goal victory then, and that from the penalty spot, but this was a very impressive and encouraging performance.
Team: Antony Hall, Elvis Defreitas, Tom Penson, Liam Harwood, Ray Guilford, Ben Rayner, Anthony Baker (Lamin Bah 82), Jack Guilford, Sam Spencer (Tyler Chambers 72), Khari Oriogun, Bruce McPhail (Liam Talbot 72). Unused subs: David Unwin, Nuno Pereira.
Yellow cards: Sam Spencer, Jack Guilford.
Referee: Zack Ellis
Attendance – 48
Match Day Photographs are on-line here
