Guildford City (0) 1, Camberley Town (0) 0
by Barry Underwood
Guildford City claimed their first three points of the season at Wey Court last evening eventually seeing off a tough and determined challenge from Camberley Town. Both sides had lost their opening game of the season and were looking to get things on track. For periods in the second half, it looked as if it would be the visitors who would take the victory. But City’s defence was exemplary, and just as it looked as if the match would finish goalless, Robbie Mundow stepped up in stoppage time to take the headlines. City was missing flu victim Michael Campbell, whilst Dan Stewart was feeling unwell and dropped to the bench, with Ric Campbell coming into the side for an unexpected start. Guildford opened the match well-exploiting space on the flanks. Gradually the visitors settled and the game became a cagey affair. Mark Watkins saw two early attempts on goal dealt with by the Town defence, after which much of the first half passed with both sides taking long-range shots at goal. The best of the efforts came from David Burton whose volley from the edge of the box narrowly went wide, whilst Mark Jordan powered in a drive for Camberley that just cleared the crossbar. Matt Glass – a former City player – always looked dangerous for the visitors and just before the interval he headed wide from a fantastic cross from the right.
Camberley came out for the second half with all guns blazing. Within seconds of the restart, it took a fantastic block from David Burton to prevent the visitor’s going ahead. Minutes later Camberley again came close; in fact, three times came close. City’s scrambling defence performed heroically to keep out what seemed like two goal-bound efforts, whilst Liam Beach brilliantly got a finger-tip to another effort onto the post. Guildford looked dangerous on the counter-attack and a fine move involving Jordan Gallagher and Dan Stewart saw Mark Watkins shoot over the bar. On the hour Watkins drove in from the left and shot wide of the back post. Camberley still pushed forward and this time Josh Burrowes made a fine block. As the game reached its later stages Mark Jordan twice fired powerful efforts from range just over the bar. Nemo Adams courageously threw himself into a brilliant block that saw him require lengthy treatment. For once Matt Glass did escape the attention of the City defence. Bearing down on goal Liam Beach saved brilliantly to maintain parity. On 86 minutes City should have gone ahead. After a hard tackle by Bobby Dormer the ball spun across the goal where Dan Stewart expertly put the ball in the net. Referee Mark Edwards, who enjoyed a fine game, ruled Dormer’s challenge to be too robust and gave a free-kick against City. As the game entered stoppage time a Jordan Gallagher free-kick struck the crossbar. Then at the denouement, Robbie Mundow stepped up. Bobby Dormer charged out of midfield with the ball before finding Mundow in space on the edge of the box. The midfielder took one touch before firing low beyond Birchnall into the net. You had to feel for Camberley losing in such fashion but they will surely rapidly rise up the table. For City things are back on track and they move forward to an FA Cup encounter on Saturday.
Team: Liam Beach, Chris Tancock, Josh Burrowes, Bobby Dormer, Nemo Adams, Billy Irving, David Burton, Bobby Webbe (Robbie Mundow 70), Mark Watkins (Evan Lopes 75), Jordan Gallagher, Ric Campbell (Dan Stewart 54). Unused subs: Isy Nzelo, Courage Moda.
Referee: Mark Edwards
