Two dropped points still means Guildford City have their title challenge in their own hands, but the margin for error is now effectively zero. The hosts looked strongest early on and took the lead through Austin Gacheru, before Emmanuel Quarshie pegged them back within ten minutes. Colliers Wood went ahead early in the second half before Joel Hughes smashed home a late equaliser for City.
In an even game it was City who started stronger, Greaves seeing his powerful run and shot come to nothing when he was pulled up for an innocuous challenge earlier in the move. The visitors had offered little attacking threat but the opening goal came from some sloppy defending on their part. A 25th minute low curling free kick, the sort of which caused trouble for Colliers Wood throughout the evening, went through a crowd of players with Gacheru managing to flick it on. The ball evaded a static defence, and nestled in off the far post.
Colliers Wood equalised in the 32nd minute when Quarshie beat goalkeeper Gant to a corner and planted a strong header into the back of the net. The goal gave the visitors belief and they enjoyed a period of control until half time. They continued this into the second period and came at City after the break. It wasn’t long until they earned the reward for their pressure, with Quarshie making the most of a defensive lapse to slot the ball past a helpless Gant.
The urgency struck City, who could barely afford to lose, and for a while they offered a glimpse of the slick passing football that characterised their early season form. Coming up against a resolute visitors defence was infuriating however, and there was little return for the endeavour. Tom Penson blasted a close range shot well over, before it fell to Joel Hughes to rescue a point for City. Hughes picked the ball up on the penalty spot, turned and finished emphatically. Colliers Wood threatened briefly on the counter attack, but it was Guildford came closest to snatching it when another low free kick evaded the defence and stuck the post.
A decent penalty shout was turned down late on, but in truth Guildford City can have no complaints about the result. Three victories from three will now secure the title for City, assuming that rivals Chertsey Town win both of their remaining games.
Referee: V. Penfold
Attendance: 110
Guildford City:
Joe Gant, Elvis de Freitas, Ben Rayner, Simon Cooper, Jamie Thoroughgood, Tony Chaplin, Jack Guilford (Lance Banton-Brown 82), Ben Camara (Tom Penson 63), Joel Greaves, Austin Gacheru (Joel Hughes 63), Jaydon Gibbs.
Unused substitutes: Dan Moody, Dan Clayton
