Guildford City (2) 2, Hanworth Villa (2) 3
by Barry Underwood
For neutrals watching at the Spectrum this was a highly entertaining game of cup football. For Guildford supporters though there was once again disappointment as again the home side failed to gain a victory. This was however a much better performance, especially in the first-half, but full credit is due to a highly organised Hanworth side who’d played for much of the match with 10 men following the dismissal of defender Chris Stokes. City opened brightly. Cyril Ocansey volleyed wide in the early minutes, followed on six minutes by Dan Stewart tucking home a loose ball in the box following Billy Irving’s cross to give City the lead. On 13 minutes City came close to scoring again when Wayne Ridgley’s excellent cross was headed against the bar by the lively Kieran Campbell. Guildford were quickly made to pay when a minute later a fine through ball gave Turnell Sinclair a chance to shoot home. Within another minute Hanworth had scored again. This time it was down to sloppy defending and Jason Dwumfo had time to slot home in the corner. Guildford still went forward and Wayne Ridgley saw a shot deflected for a corner. A minute later City drew level when a Hanworth defender was adjudged to have handled in the box; up stepped Dan Stewart who comfortably netted his fourth goal of the season. On the half hour came what might have been the game’s defining moment. Kieran Campbell burst through and was brought down in a last man challenge leading to defender Chris Stokes being promptly shown a red card.
Shortly after the break City had a great chance when Cyril Ocansey timed a run into the box nicely but with a free shot at goal he tamely shot straight at the keeper. Certainly the going was harder for the home side after the break and 10 men or not Villa were stubborn opponents. Sinclair headed over for the visitors and Zack Basey was forced to save well with his legs. Whether it was pressure or not Guildford started to lose their shape and breaking down the Villa defence was proving problematic. On 63 minutes City thought they had scored when Kieran Campbell volleyed home a free-kick but sadly the linesman’s flag showed that celebrations were premature. Once again to rub things in Hanworth made City pay when Villa were quite rightly awarded a penalty for a foul in the box. Substitute Adrian Nosworthy-Browne converted from the spot. Dan Stewart shot just wide in the later stages but try as they might the equaliser just wouldn’t come. Manager Chris Balchin was disappointed but pleased with the improved performance, and he thanked the City fans post-match for their continued support for the team.
Team: Zack Basey, Billy Irving, Leavan Sullivan, Ryan Dacres-Smith, Theo Woodhouse, Wayne Ridgley (Josh Everard 60), Kiyanu Pillay (Sean Mason 67), Dan Harding (Marcus Sablier 83), Kieran Campbell, Dan Stewart, Cyril Ocansey. Unused subs: Isy Nzelo, Dan Hurlow.
Referee: Richard Morris
Attendance – 56
