Guildford City (0) 1, Lymington Town (0) 2
by Barry Underwood
Guildford’s bright start to the season took another knock at the Spectrum on Saturday when they departed the FA Vase competition in a tight encounter against Lymington Town. The visitors from the New Forest are themselves a form side, sitting in second place in the Wessex League. The match itself was a fairly even affair, and as in recent matches City certainly had chances to win the game. But as in recent games the chances weren’t taken, leading ultimately to the home side slipping out of both the FA Cup and FA Vase within seven days. Guildford opened the match brightly and had two presentable chances within the first ten minutes. Firstly the impressive Chris Tancock set Dan Stewart up on the edge of the box, and his curling effort was turned round the post for a corner by the diving Ross Casey. Shortly after Nathaniel Williams blocked shot fell kindly for Kyen Nicholas whose close range effort was again saved by Casey. The visitors also posed problems going forward and from a long throw, Luke Badiali was forced into a blocking save at his near post. There then followed a period when Lymington set siege to the City goal; a succession of long throws and corners into the danger area were stoically defended by the players in red and white. Late in the half City had chances from two free-kicks in dangerous positions. First Kieran Campbell blazed a 30 yard well over the crossbar, and minutes before the interval a tempting delivery across the box just eluded the on-rushing Dave Burton.
Guildford made an equally impressive start to the second period. Almost from the restart Nathaniel Williams cut in from the left and curled a right foot effort inches wide of the post. On 51 minutes Kyen Nicholas brought the ball down well, and set Marlon Pinder up for a shooting chance but his effort went wide of the target. A minute later City had another glorious chance; Dan Stewart’s deep cross found Kieran Campbell at the back post. Sadly his attempted spectacular volley spiralled over the crossbar when a header might have been the better option. As so often happens in football Guildford were made to pay for their profligacy when minutes later a Lymington striker went down in the box and a penalty was awarded. Up stepped Sam House who netted comfortably. Having gone behind City became somewhat disjointed as they sensed another game was getting away from them. Chad Goulter hooked a difficult chance over the crossbar on 77 minutes, and just as things were becoming desperate Louie Downey was brought down in the box as he chased a through ball. Kieran Campbell coolly stepped up to drill home the resulting spot-kick. Back on terms and with all to play for both sides were looking to go forward. Lymington substitute Jack Odam was looking to make his mark and a 25 yarder just cleared Luke Badiali’s crossbar. With three minutes remaining, and extra-time looming, the visitor’s scored the match winning goal. A long clearance was misjudged in defence and Odam had the chance to bear down on goal and slip the ball past the advancing Badiali. With a minute remaining Lymington’s Ross Casey saved brilliantly from Dan Stewart’s diving header, and that really was that. There was time for a Dan Stewart free-kick to clear the crossbar but the final whistle soon followed, and City interest in the FA Vase had come to an early end. Once again City had the chances to progress, but again that finishing touch was missing. But luck can change quickly and Guildford must hope that they can re-kindle their season starting with a win at Redhill on Tuesday.
Team: Luke Badiali, Chris Tancock, Alex Penfold (Adam Heagney 65), Luke Beale, David Burton, Louie Downey, Kyen Nicholas (Chad Goulter 74), Dan Stewart, Kieran Campbell, Marlon Pinder (Miguel Anderson 67), Nathaniel Williams.
Referee: Lawrence Torz-Brown
Attendance – 60
