Guildford City (2) 2, Hanworth Villa (1) 1
by Barry Underwood
Finally, in the last few days of October Guildford City broke their jinx and achieved their first home league win of the season. On a chilly evening it was a much-improved performance, and despite a nervy last 20 minutes when the home side sat deep to protect their narrow advantage, it was a fully deserved three points. From the off City played with some confidence, although for 20 minutes there were periods of indecision in the home defence. From an early corner a Sean Mason effort was headed off the line, but the visitor’s themselves had two good chances when first an effort went wide, followed a minute later by Aaron Bufton saving well when Turnell Sinclair got behind the defence. Guildford took the lead on 27 minutes: a clearance was headed back into the box where Sean Mason was able to redirect the ball with his head into the corner of the net. This was Sean Mason’s first goal for the club in his 54th appearance. With the pressure off a little City carved out more chances. A fine Theo Woodhouse pass gave Dan Stewart a good shooting chance which went just wide, until on 37 minutes an excellent Dacres-Smith pass put Eli Ogunseye clear. Commendably unselfish Ogunseye squared the ball to the unmarked Dan Stewart who calmly stroked the ball home for his ninth goal of the season. Moments before the interval Hanworth pulled themselves back into the game when Kivabena Osei drove home a penalty following a foul in the box by Sean Mason.
Having got back into the game on the stroke of half-time Hanworth strove to make further inroads at the commencement of the second period. Within minutes a close range free-kick cleared the crossbar, whilst on 58 minutes Aaron Bufton was forced into a fine save at the foot of the near post. It wasn’t all one way as Dan Stewart had a strong run forward halted only by an illegal challenge just outside of the box. Stewart had more luck on 62 minutes when a lovely touch took him clear of a defender, but with the goalkeeper advancing Stewart slid his shot past the keeper but just wide of the post. Hanworth pushed forward as City attempted to soak up the pressure. There were chances for the visitors. Turnell Sinclair shot over from a good position, whilst with 15 minutes remaining only an excellent clearance by Ryan Dacres-Smith averted a likely goal. With 10 minutes remaining a last-ditch City block sent another effort over the bar. It’s fair to say that City nerves were jangling as the minutes ticked down, but despite a late scare when a Hanworth shot beat Bufton but narrowly also the post, City held on to claim their first win at the Spectrum in 10 attempts.
Team: Aaron Bufton, Kiyanu Pillay, Sean Mason, Theo Woodhouse, Dennis Gorman, Josh Burrowes, Eli Ogunseye (Josh Ogunseye 75), Ryan Dacres-Smith, Kieran Campbell, Dan Stewart (Josh Everard 90), Cyril Ocansey (Sam Amure 86). Unused subs: Wayne Ridgley.
Referee: Derrick Laing
Attendance – 59
