Frimley Green (0) 0, Guildford City (1) 2
by Barry Underwood
Guildford City made progress in the CCL League Cup last night with an excellent performance at Frimley, against a side who are unbeaten in Division One and who wouldn’t look out of place in the premier division. As well as the result this was a record breaking evening for the club when on 86 minutes, 16 years and two day old Jamie Higgins strode onto the field of play as a late substitute, in the process becoming Guildford City’s youngest ever player in a competitive match, a record formerly held by former City legend Jamie Thoroughgood.
It was the home side who opened the game more positively. As early as the second minute a deep free-kick to the back post caused some concern, whilst minutes later Louis Hibbert fired a low cross/shot across the face of the goal. Slowly Guildford settled and playing their customary passing football they gained more influence on proceedings. Evan Lopes and Kiye Martin on the flanks started to see more ball and it was from Martin’s short corner on nine minutes that City opened the scoring; Jack Battie firing over a pinpoint cross that was met by Nemo Adams’s head for his first goal of the season. A minute later both sides came close. Kyen Nicholas had a one on one opportunity with Harvey Stevens but the Frimley keeper saved well with his legs. Immediately at the other end Frimley forged an opening that whistled just past the post. City enjoyed good possession, several times putting the ball in the danger area without end result. Frimley for their part had two good openings, the first of which on 18 minutes forced a fine save from Liam Beach, and the second on 38 minutes which saw a left foot effort go wide from a good position.
City initially opened the second period as slowly as the first when Frimley headed a good chance just over the bar. This time however the visitors settled quickly and looked dangerous going forward. After a nice move Kyen Nicholas was robbed of a shooting chance by an unfortunate bobble, but three minutes later the same player was on hand to tuck home Isy Nzelo’s low cross to give Guildford a two goal lead. On 58 minutes Nicholas latched onto a loose ball in the box but his pile driver of a half volley cannoned off of the outside of the post. It was by no means one sided and the home team responded with pressure which resulted in a free-kick from just outside the box narrowly missing the target. City came close again on 68 minutes when from Jack Battie’s corner, Luke Beale glanced a header just over the bar. With 20 minutes remaining Frimley twice came close. First the covering Luke Beale cleared off his goal line, whilst in fast and furious action the home side thundered a low shot against the post. Offensively Kyen Nicholas was proving a real handful to the Frimley defence. With 15 minutes remaining Nicholas’s shot following a free-kick was well saved by Stevens, and twice shortly after he was judged narrowly to be offside when there was a clear route to goal. The late stages saw the impressive Bobby Webbe curl an effort just wide and Kiye Martin just fail to round Stevens for a tap in. The closing minutes saw City’s trio of youth team players gain valuable first team experience in a match where City performed well against noteworthy opposition.
Team: Liam Beach, Isy Nzelo, Josh Burrowes, David Burton (Jamie Higgins 86), Nemo Adams, Luke Beale, Evan Lopes, Bobby Webbe, Kyen Nicholas (Tom Griffin 82), Kiye Martin (Charlie Berry 90), Jack Battie. Unused sub: Billy Irving.
Referee: Amadou Jallow
Attendance – 44
