Guildford City (0) 2, Bedfont & Feltham (0) 0
by Barry Underwood
This match was typical end of season fare which is not really a surprise as this was City’s final home match of the season. City are finishing the year safe in a lower mid-table position, whilst their visitors have had a disappointing campaign and will be returning to division one for next season. Reflecting their struggles this season Bedfont fielded just ten players from the off, but any thoughts that this match might be a one sided encounter were unfounded. Granted Guildford had plenty of the ball but the game was played at such a slow tempo that the depleted Bedfont side were able to cope remarkably well. In a rare opening after 18 minutes Robbie Mundow thought he had opened the scoring when his low shot from 15 yards hit the post and rebounded out. Evan Lopes had a more difficult chance from the rebound but his effort was blazed over. The visitor’s first effort on goal was a free-kick from 35 yards that was blocked in the wall and cleared. As the half entered its later stages Guildford looked more dangerous. Darryl Siaw effort from the by-line was saved by Raven Constable in the Bedfont goal. Minutes later from the right flank Miguel Anderson crossed low and Marlon Pinder’s shot on the turn was blocked at full stretch. Despite their attacking frustrations Guildford had a golden chance to go into the interval a goal up. Darryl Siaw’s strong run into the box was illegally interrupted and Marlon Pinder stepped up to take the resulting spot kick. Sadly Pinder’s effort was under hit and Constable was able to save comfortably.
City certainly lifted their game somewhat after the interval. Just three minutes after the restart Miguel Anderson fired a fine cross into the box but Marlon Pinder was unable to get enough power on his header after seeing the ball late. Minutes later Evan Lopes tried a speculative effort from outside the box which took a wicked deflection just wide of the post with Constable flat-footed. On 55 minutes an excellent Lopes run and cross created an opening for Bobby Dormer whose sweetly struck effort was brilliantly saved by Constable. The game’s opening goal came from the resulting corner with Marlon Pinder heading in at the back post. Whether by accident or design City sat back after the goal and ten man Bedfont started to look dangerous. Tyrell Mendes came close and the powerful figure of Ashley Quashie twice caused anxiety in the home defence. Any home nerves were settled on 84 minutes when Chris Tancock’s low cross was converted by the unmarked former City ball-boy Luke Mitchell. With the last kick of the match Tom Bingham forced Constable into a fine save but Guildford will have been satisfied with claiming the three points.
Team: Kallum Lunn, Chris Tancock, Darryl Siaw (Tom Booth 60), Jake Downs, Greg Haydon, Bobby Dormer, Miguel Anderson (Kiye Martin 62), Robbie Mundow, Marlon Pinder, Tom Bingham, Evan Lopes (Luke Mitchell 71).
Referee: Dominic Wynter
Attendance – 67
