Guildford City 2 – 2 Mole Valley SCR: Match Report

Guildford City (1) 2, Mole Valley SCR (1) 2

By Barry Underwood

 

A new look Guildford City side took the field at the Spectrum on Saturday for new management duo Donovan Chislett and Phil Bowers first game in charge. With an average age of just 19, including two sixteen year olds, this was the youngest side ever fielded by Guildford City. Mid table Mole Valley provided the opposition and were sure to provide stern opposition. On a cold but sunny day the young City side started brightly, playing some impressive passing football. James Ryan in midfield was prompting and probing alongside the hardworking Isaac Lewis. A solid SCR defence though largely kept the home side at bay and as the game progressed the visitors enjoyed more possession. From one such period of play Mole Valley took the lead on 18 minutes. A cross from the right was flicked on and Scott Robson was on hand to side foot home from eight yards. Minutes later Mole Valley almost exploited a defensive error but not deterred City hit back against the run of play on 23 minutes. Nathanial Williams on the left went past a defender and fired over a challenging cross that was headed in at the near post by Anthony Baker. Following the City equaliser it was goalkeeper Lee Allen’s chance to show his worth. A volley from the edge of the box saw Allen dive full length to push the ball wide, and after 33 minutes he once again saved at full stretch, this time from a half-volley. In addition Mole Valley’s powerful forward pair Nehemiah Adams and Chisanga Nshindano both saw efforts go just wide of the woodwork. As the interval approached Harry Shipton cleared off his line, and skipper John Symons made a tremendous goal saving tackle on the breaking Adams. In the final seconds of the half Ryan Fraser found space to break forward. His pass led to Jordan Taylor’s shot being deflected wide.

 

In the second half Guildford enjoyed a greater percentage of possession and they were soon threatening the visitors goal. Jordan Taylor headed over from Jordan Phillips free-kick and then on 50 minutes to the delight of the home crowd Guildford City edged ahead. Once again Ryan Fraser ran at the Mole Valley defence. As he entered the box he found 16 year old Nathaniel Williams who shot home from 15 yards. Within seconds Nshindano almost brought the scores level but his point blank header was brilliantly saved by Lee Allen. Allen later saved with his feet, before City came within a whisker of scoring a third. Jordan Taylor whipped in a cracking cross that Isaac Lewis was just unable to convert in front of goal.

The visitors finally did bring the scores level on 83 minutes. A steepling high clearance caused problems in the home defence and Richard Monan ran through to calmly slot past Allen. As the game entered stoppage time all home supporters were praying that their side would hold on to claim something from the game. There was one more chance for the visitors that Lee Allen once again saved and moments later the final whistle blew to bring down the curtain on the start of a new era.

 

Team: Lee Allen, Nathaniel Williams, Harry Eke, Isaac Lewis (Dudley Pearn 75), John Symons, Harry Shipton, Jordan Taylor, Anthony Baker, Ryan Fraser, James Ryan, Jordan Phillips. Unused subs: Danny Bowers, Ryan Wallis, Mike Wicherek, Liam Beach (GK).

 

Referee: Andrey Lashchikov

 

Attendance – 90