Tiverton Town collected three away points with a composed performance at the Spectrum. Once again City gave themselves a hill to climb by conceding two early goals, and despite a spirited fight back, two further goals in the last ten minutes rounded off a confident display by the visitors. An improved effort from the home side, and whilst acknowledging the effort expended, City were naive in periods of the game.
There was only six minutes on the clock when Matt Villis rose unchallenged to head Tiverton ahead. Just a minute later some smart passing on the left saw a cross fired into the box to be met by Josh Concanon who picked his spot in the corner. Facing an all too familiar deficit City did pick up the pace, and from a free-kick 35 yards out Ben Walshe drove an effort just over the bar. On 19 minutes City were back in the game. Enterprising play down the left involving Tuan west and George Bowerman, saw West deliver an excellent low cross which was met by Pat Cox who steered the ball beyond Dan Law in the visiting goal. Having got on the score sheet Guildford looked a different side. Playing with confidence City suddenly looked a threat going forward. Tuan West was enjoying himself down the left flank and both Pat Cox and George Bowerman had good efforts on goal. Tiverton were always a threat and Matt Wright missed narrowly when well placed. On the half hour a neat flick from Bowerman put West into the space, and from his cross Pat Cox’s attempt on goal was deflected for a corner. From the subsequent corner Ryan Bernard won the ball but his header drifted just wide. City did suffer a scare as the game entered first half stoppage time. Tiverton won a free-kick on the edge of Guildford’s box but debutant goalkeeper Will Dukes saved at the second attempt.
Half Time – Guildford City 1 – 2 Tiverton Town
City had the first effort of the second half when Kershaney Samuels made good ground before feeding the hard-working Yacine Gnahore whose early effort zipped just wide from 25 yards. Just one goal behind Guildford sensed they could get something from the game, and on 54 minutes a great chance came and went. A deep cross from that man Tuan West, this time from the right, was met by George Bowerman six yards out and his headed attempt into the ground bounced up and just wide. On the hour Kieran Burrell’s low cross was met by Pat Cox’s head, but falling backwards he couldn’t get enough power. Increasingly Guildford were resorting to long range efforts, and perhaps inevitably Tiverton stepped up in the final stages. On 70 minutes Tiverton broke down the left, and picking his pass carefully Matt Wright side footed home. After 82 minutes Tiverton scored a soft fourth goal when Josh Searles innocuous effort slipped under Will Dukes body.
Team: Will Dukes, Kershaney Samuels, Josh Clayman, Bruce McPhail, Ryan Bernard, Yacine Gnahore, Kieran Burrell (Nassim Dukali 75), Ben Walshe, George Bowerman, Pat Cox, Tuan West. Unused subs: Dominic Ogun, Laurie Walters, Darren Evans, Matthew King.
Yellow cards: Josh Clayman, Ben Walshe
Referee: Michael Taylor
Attendance – 90
