Guildford City (0) 0, CB Hounslow United (1) 2
by Barry Underwood
After three consecutive wins Guildford City have not only lost the winning habit, but also the knack of scoring goals. In truth this wasn’t a bad performance. It was frustrating certainly and for the first 20 minutes City played some excellent football, but crucially without getting on the scoresheet. A goal against the run of play set them on their heels. But throughout the home side had no problem getting the ball into the opponent’s penalty area but sadly and perhaps through misfortune the ball wouldn’t fall to the right player at the right time. Right from kick-off Eli Ogunseye scooted down the right but his cross went just behind the on-rushing Kyen Nicholas. Theo Woodhouse looked dominant in midfield and much of the side’s forward momentum came from him. On 10 minutes Kyen Nicholas headed just over from a corner, and moments later Benga Ogunseye was adjudged to have been narrowly offside as he beat the last line of defence. Guildford were dominant and on 19 minutes Benga Ogunseye received the ball in the box but his shot lacked power and was comfortably saved. Kyen Nicholas and Benga Ogunseye combined again moments later. Nicholas rounded the Hounslow keeper and cut inside to get a better angle for his shot but a defender got back to make a fantastic goal saving block. The rebound fell to Benga Ogunseye whose powerful effort was similarly blocked. On 23 minutes Sean Mason’s excellent cross posed problems in the six yard box but once again no City player was present to tuck the ball home. Then after such a fine start came calamity. As so often happens the visitors broke and with their first shot on goal Talios Skapetis fired into the corner beyond the diving Stuart Norman. Guildford still had their moments but Hounslow came closest to a goal on 35 minutes when they headed wide from a good position.
When the second-half opened Stuart Norman was forced to save well to keep City in contention. Following that scare a slick move down the left gave Isy Nzelo the chance to cross but his ball into the box was intercepted. On 51 minutes Eli Ogunseye ran dangerously into the box. His low cross to the edge of the area was met by Benga Ogunseye whose shot cleared the crossbar. As the half developed the game became scrappier, and Hounslow defended deeper. Another Eli Ogunseye cross, this time high to the back post was met by Tom Griffin’s head but Kavanagh Keadell saved well low down. As the minutes ticked on City became more frustrated. A free-kick was won just outside the box but with Bobby Webbe off the field the chance fell to Sean Mason. Mason’s effort eluded the wall but had insufficient power to trouble Keadell. With five minutes remaining Hounslow put the game beyond doubt. Kai Hamilton’s pace down the right saw him fire across the box where Lewis Wood was on hand to convert. Dave Burton saw a stoppage time cross go wide but City will be disappointed not to have achieved more from a fully competitive fixture.
Team: Stuart Norman, Sean Mason, Isy Nzelo, Theo Woodhouse, Luke Beale, Billy Irving, Eli Ogunseye, Alex Cooper, Kyen Nicholas (Josh Burrowes 83), Bobby Webbe (Tom Griffin 46), Benga Ogunseye (David Burton 71).
Referee: Shawn Barclay
Attendance – 49
