Guildford City (0) 2, Farnham Town (0) 1
by Barry Underwood
In glorious playing conditions Guildford put in their best performance of the post-lockdown period. From the start City played with confidence and as early as the second minute Cyril Ocansey brushed the top of the crossbar from eight yards. In the first period the visitors looked lively up front with former City player Matt Glass in particular dangerous in possession. Guildford came close on 24 minutes when the effervescent Fred Hill found Max Oldham in the box. Oldham took a second touch, but his low effort whistled just past the post. Farnham responded immediately when Matt Glass found space on the edge of the box, but he blazed his effort wide. An exquisite piece of skill from Max Oldham near the corner flag led to him setting Cyril Ocansey up for a shooting chance that just cleared the crossbar. In a moment of concern, a Farnham cross flashed across City’s six-yard box, but the ball was eventually cleared. Four minutes before the interval City took the lead. Fred Hill timed his run onto Max Oldham’s through ball to perfection and he calmly slid the ball past the advancing Richard Ossai.
After a four-year absence Luke Simmonds returned to the side from the bench after the break. Guildford came close when again Oldham reached the by-line. His cross was helped on by Harvey Kirk which was headed away for a corner from under the crossbar. Late in the game Guildford did come under pressure, especially conceding a number of corners. But keeper Matte Pierson impressively claimed several high balls into the box to ease the pressure. With ten minutes remaining Farnham did get on the scoresheet through the ever-lively Matt Glass who managed to get an effort inside the near post. But City weren’t done for. During a scramble in the Farnham goalmouth Harry Nicholas saw an effort spiral off a defender and over the bar. But it was to be a happy afternoon for Guildford. On 85 minutes Max Oldham’s corner was met by an airborne Isy Nzelo who spectacularly netted with a bullet-like header.
Team: Matte Pierson, Anselme Daho, Isy Nzelo, Josh Everard (Luke Simmonds 46), David Burton, Prince Mbengui, Harvey Kirk (Ruairi Byrne 65), Max Oldham (Nathan Laleye 76), Cyril Ocansey, Mike Coppinger (Harry Nicholas 76), Fred Hill. Unused sub: Liam Maher.
Referee: Adam Merchant
MATCHDAY PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL BURGMAN
