Godalming Town (0) 0, Guildford City (2) 2
by Barry Underwood
Thus far this season Guildford City has reserved their best football for Wey Court, the home of Godalming Town. After the Axtell Cup match and two FA Cup ties played at Godalming’s home ground, City returned to Wey Court to face Godalming Town in CCL derby action. With a bank holiday morning kick-off, the match was played in the heat of a very warm day. Both sides had played a league encounter on Saturday and this match was likely to be the survival of the fittest. Guildford weren’t at their best against Horley, despite claiming the points, but it soon became clear that the visitors were back to their lively best. Indeed some of City’s football in the first period was of the highest order, and truthfully they could have been four or five goals to the good by the interval. From a corner on six minutes the ball zipped across the six yard box just eluding Nemo Adams. The ball was cleared to the edge of the box where Nathaniel Williams volleyed just over. Ex-Merrow defender Chris Tancock was looking dangerous overlapping on the right flank, and on 11 minutes he smashed a tremendous effort against the crossbar. A minute or two later Tancock got forward again and his cross was met by Chad Goulter whose header was cleared off the line. It was no surprise when Guildford opened the scoring after 16 minutes. Dan Stewart ran at the defence, taking the ball past two players, before driving a shot beyond Bufton into the corner. Guildford were looking rampant at this stage and minutes later Stewart saw a left foot shot saved by Bufton from close range. City went two goals up on 26 minutes. Marlon Pinder’s arcing run beat the offside line and he coolly rounded Bufton to slide the ball home. On 31 minutes Nathaniel Williams pace took him round his defender but he delayed as he bore down on Bufton and his shot was blocked. The home side’s first shot on goal arrived on 35 minutes, and it was good enough to see Luke Badiali scurry across to save low down to his left. Godalming did enjoy more possession late in the half, but it didn’t stop City having two good goal scoring chances in stoppage time. Firstly Nathaniel Williams cross was just behind Dan Stewart and the same combination of players then worked an opening which led to Stewart’s effort being cleared off the line.
Guildford opened the second half in the same lively fashion. Immediately Marlon Pinder saw an early effort saved by Bufton. On 51 minutes a glorious piece of interplay on the right led to Aaron Bufton bravely saving at Dan Stewart’s feet. Although Godalming had a fair share of possession in the second-half they were kept at a distance by the well-marshalled City defence, with both Nemo Adams and Luke Beale outstanding. Guildford for their part was always looking to break forward, and twice Darryl Siaw broke through on goal. Aaron Bufton again bravely saved at Siaw’s feet in the first instance, and in the second Siaw was brought down heavily by Bufton in the box for a penalty. Kieran Campbell stepped up but Bufton to his credit saved well with his legs. From a corner Nemo Adams first time effort cleared the crossbar, and at the other end Luke Badiali saved a long range effort spectacularly. In the game’s final moments City might have won a second penalty when Kieran Campbell was brought down heavily. Josh Coke had laid the ball square instead of shooting and Bufton was down heavily at Campbell’s feet, but referee Brown who enjoyed a fine game, waved play on. The final action was in Guildford’s goalmouth where Luke Badiali saved well from a corner, and as Luke Beale cleared the loose ball away the final whistle blew on what was another excellent performance from the men in red, white and black.
Team: Luke Badiali, Chris Tancock, Ben Franklin, Luke Beale, Nemo Adams, Louie Downey (Miguel Anderson 64), Marlon Pinder, Chad Goulter, Kieran Campbell, Dan Stewart (Josh Coke 78), Nathaniel Williams (Darryl Siaw 59). Unused subs: David Burton, Adam Heagney.
Referee: John Brown
Match Photos: Click here
Match Photos 2: Click here