Guildford City 1 Camberley Town 2: Match Report

Guildford City (1) 1, Camberley Town (1) 2

by Barry Underwood

Despite dominating much of the play, Guildford City’s frustrating search for a league win goes on. There is no doubt the side lacks confidence and despite ample possession City barely brought a serious save out of the visiting goalkeeper. And so it has been in recent matches. Anyone who saw the side in pre-season will know how well the team can play. But the relatively gentle atmosphere of pre-season this is not. It’s time to get serious and post-match it was clear that manager Balchin’s patience has run out and squad changes are threatened. The match started at a low tempo and following a defensive error Camberley dangerously played the ball right across the box. City threatened on 12 minutes when Dan Stewart headed past the advancing Camberley keeper but the experienced Dan Jewell got back to snuff out the danger. The visitors went ahead on 24 minutes when a high ball to the back of the goal found James Baxter in space to head home from 10 yards. Darryl Siaw, back in the side after injury, posed problems down the right and he twice crossed through the six yard box without a City player getting a touch. City were definitely playing with more vigour and on 36 minutes the equaliser came. Dan Harding found space in the box and Dan Stewart latched onto his cross to steer a shot inside the back post.

Darryl Siaw, operating on the left in the second period, set up a shooting chance from Ryan Dacres-Smith but his effort sailed wide of the goal. On the hour another Baxter header came close; this time being saved acrobatically by Zack Basey. Dan Harding again found Dan Stewart on 68 minutes and only a last ditch tackle prevented the City legend from shooting. With 15 minutes remaining a loose ball fell to Cyril Ocansey in the box who put his shot wide from eight yards. It looked as if both sides would have to settle for a point each. But for the second consecutive match City lost the match courtesy of a penalty kick; on this occasion with just four minutes remaining. Up stepped player-manager Carl Garstang who drilled the ball home to claim the points. In stoppage time Dan Harding saw a late shot on the turn comfortably saved, and the search for the first win goes on.

Team: Zack Basey, Sean Mason, Isy Nzelo, Ryan Dacres-Smith (Benga Ogunseye 81), Leevan Sullivan, Theo Woodhouse, Eli Ogunseye, Dan Harding, Dan Stewart, Wayne Ridgley (Josh Everard 55), Darryl Siaw (Cyril Ocansey 55). Unused subs: Kiyanu Pillay, Marcus Sablier.

Referee: Chimango Gondwe

Attendance – 60