Guildford City edged a difficult and very even clash between two of the top sides in the league. Three quality goals shone in a hard fought and sometimes niggly match. Ben Camara’s brace ensured three points for City but Antony Hall must take much credit for a penalty save in the first half. The result sees City rise to first position in the league for the first time since the very first match of the season.
Joel Greaves and Ben Camara looked very lively up front early on, and it took just over quarter of an hour for City to take the lead. Graham Tydeman fed Ben Camara on the edge of the box, who took a touch before hitting a superb curling shot over Badshot keeper Stone and into the back of the net.
This seemed to spur on the visitors who responded with a number of chances. Hammond shot just over the bar after receiving the ball in space. City’s lead didn’t last long – Brad Smith’s first time shot from just outside the area looped over Antony Hall and into the top corner of the City goal.
Ben Camara was brought down en route to goal soon afterwards, with Ben Rayner stepping up to take the free kick. His shot was parried by the goalkeeper before Jamie Thoroughgood followed up the rebound. The referee brought play back however, deeming that Ben had taken the kick too quickly. Jaydon Gibbs retook the free kick but his shot flash wide.
Shortly before the break, Agyeman cut into the City area and fell to the floor under a challenge from Jamie Thoroughgood. How much contact was made is uncertain, but it didn’t matter in the end as Antony Hall saved Smith’s penalty. Elvis de Freitas scrambled the ball away from the feet of Smith before Ker shot wide.
In the second half City were better. Jack Guilford put a chance just wide before Ben Camara latched onto Tom Penson’s ball forward, turned inside two defenders and shot across goal to score City’s winner. Penson himself went close later on, and City withstood Badshot’s expensive strikeforce to secure three points.
