Guildford City (0) 1, Raynes Park Vale (1) 2
by Barry Underwood
It was a poor opening half-hour that almost certainly cost Guildford City a place in the CCL Cup semi-finals. This takes nothing aware from an intrepid Raynes Park side that were determined to avenge their Surrey Cup defeat at the same ground seven days previously. Right from the off Vale looked threatening in position. City clearances and the majority of second balls were being picked up by the visitors and they definitely looked hungrier. Whether Guildford’s players thought that they only needed to turn up will be known only to them. It was no great surprise that Vale opened the scoring after 28 minutes. A free-kick from near the by-line was headed back across goal where the predatory Billy Murphy scored from close range. Vale might well have extended their lead in the minutes after the goal. Firstly Kallum Lunn saved excellently from close range and minutes later a Vale chance was blocked and Lunn was able to safely pouch the ball. Guildford did have attacking intent but on the day there was little punch in the City attack. The home side’s best moments in the first-half came in the ten minutes prior to the interval, and both chances fell to Kiye Martin from set pieces; the first of which forced a fine save from Tony Davis.
Would the second period follow the same pattern? No is the answer as City definitely upped the ante after the break. Tony Davis saved smartly from a Tom Booth half volley on 53 minutes, and two minutes later a glancing header from Tom Bingham from an excellent Greg Haydon cross got City back into the game. In the aftermath of the goal it looked as if City would go on to take the match, and they came agonisingly close to taking the lead on 68 minutes. A fine Booth run and pass to Kiye Martin saw the former Crystal Palace player pick his spot from 18 yards. Sadly his aim was just off and the ball brushed the outside of the post. The question with the minutes ticking down was would Guildford score or would the game go into extra-time? The answer was negative on both accounts. With five minutes remaining Callum Wilson was adjudged to have illegally brought down a Vale striker and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. That man Billy Murphy stepped up again but Kallum Lunn saved brilliantly low down. Sadly though the rebound fell kindly to Murphy who slotted home for what proved to be the winner. There was a flurry of frantic Guildford attacks as the game went into stoppage time but an equaliser wouldn’t come and it is Raynes Park who go on to host Westfield in the semi-final.
Team: Kallum Lunn, Callum Wilson, Tom Booth (David Koduah 87), Lewis Leonetti, Greg Haydon, Allan Bryan (Bobby Dormer 46), Evander Lopes, Shawn Lyle, Matt Brown (Robbie Mundow 87), Kiye Martin, Tom Bingham.
Referee: Luke Donaldson
Attendance – 48
