Guildford City (1) 1, Redhill (3) 4
by Barry Underwood
On Tuesday evening Guildford bounced back from a poor first-half with a fine second half rally. Today at the Spectrum the home side went behind after just 42 seconds and on this occasion things went downhill from there. Defensively this was one of Guildford’s poorest performances for quite some while. Guildford turned over possession far too often, and there were far too many basic errors. In the very first minute, Gary Abisogun played a low ball into the box where it ricocheted into the net off a City defender. In itself this wasn’t the end of the world. But how would City respond? Not well is the answer and Redhill controlled the early stages with Abisogun and winger Fred Hill looking especially lively. Guildford’s first sight of goal came on 23 minutes when Benga Ogunseye and Youcef Azzouz combined well but a fine defensive header under pressure cleared the danger. Two minutes later Redhill went two ahead. From a long ball forward keeper Zack Basey rushed out to clear the danger but Evan Lopes – a former City player – was able to take the ball past him and side foot home. Almost immediately Guildford might have responded with Jack Minchen saving at Marlon Pinder’s feet. Within minutes City did get on the scoresheet and perhaps a recovery was on the cards. An excellent delivery from a free kick by Bobby Webbe was met by Marlon Pinder who headed home from close range. The home sides hopes didn’t last long. Again, a long clearance was allowed to bounce, and two defenders got in a tangle which saw a free kick conceded. Up stepped full-back Ben Ewing who curled a low free-kick round the wall and into the net.
Guildford’s forwards were living on scraps. There were occasional forays forward. Marlon Pinder ran hard at the well organised defence and the ball fell towards Kieran Williams but his effort on the turn came to nothing. On 55 minutes the game was effectively over. City lost possession going forward and within seconds Fred Hill was scampering towards goal with not a City player in sight. Into the box he crossed into the six-yard area where Mo Diakite beat Basey’s attempted interception. In another rare attack Benga Ogunseye crossed powerfully from the by-line which caught the waiting Marlon Pinder rather by surprise. With 20 minutes remaining substitute Cyril Ocansey saw an effort well saved by Minchen, followed soon after by Bobby Webbe striking the post with a free kick. Late on Benga Ogunseye saw a good effort go wide but from the first minute there was only going to be one winner. Guildford now have seven days to recover and find the form we know they are capable of.
Team: Zack Basey, Sean Mason, Josh Ogunseye (Isy Nzelo 65), Theo Woodhouse, Luke Beale, Josh Burrowes, Youcef Azzouz, Bobby Webbe, Benga Ogunseye, Marlon Pinder, Kieran Williams (Cyril Ocansey 65).
Referee: Mike Coen
Attendance – 62
