Guildford City (0) 2, Raynes Park Vale (0) 0
by Barry Underwood
Guildford City’s run of wins was extended at the Spectrum on Saturday in what proved to be a hard-fought battle against Raynes Park. This wasn’t a classic match for the neutrals watching and certainly both sides will have played better. In the first period especially, Guildford enjoyed the majority of possession but were too slow and deliberate whilst attempting to add a cutting edge. Raynes Park were livelier after the interval and in the late stages especially were unfortunate not to get on the scoreboard. But ultimately it was another three points and another clean sheet for the City. Ryan Dacres-Smith had the first shot of the game and slowly the corner count was going up in City’s favour. But Raynes Park’s backline looked secure. City did come close on 21 minutes when Cyril Ocansey burst through on the right but his attempt to lift the ball over the advancing McKerracher was saved. The visitors time in City’s half of the field was limited and twice it seemed their best hope might be the over casual playing out from the back by the home side. Guildford did hit the woodwork however when Ocansey’s cross was met by Ryan Dacres-Smith whose bundled effort hit the top of the post before falling away from goal.
After the break Raynes Park won their first corner of the game leading to James Curran heading over from a good position. This set the scene for an improved showing by the visitors. Minutes later Benga Ogunseye saw a powerful long-range effort comfortably saved. The second half was at times a little feisty and referee Michele Gallo is to be commended for keeping a tight rein on affairs. City nudged ahead on the hour and it was a fine finish from the in-form Benga Ogunseye. A City corner was half-cleared but was played back in by Ocansey. A defender miscued a clearance and Benga found the back of the net shooting on the turn from an acute angle. Minutes later Benga was almost through again but whilst adjusting his feet the chance was lost. Then on 65 minutes Benga Ogunseye was given the chance of a second go. A Raynes Park clearance took an unfortunate ricochet straight to Benga who rounded McKerracher before shooting into the empty net from the edge of the box. City almost made it three when Marlon Pinder’s low effort missed the post by inches. But for the last 10 minutes Guildford seemed to put their cue on the rack. City’s defenders were throwing their bodies into the fray, but still Raynes Park rattled the crossbar and saw two other efforts go perilously close. But in the end Guildford held firm to claim another three points.
Team: Zack Basey, Sean Mason, Josh Ogunseye, Theo Woodhouse, Nemo Adams (Luke Beale 83), Josh Burrowes, Cyril Ocansey, Ryan Dacres-Smith (Josh Everard 75), Benga Ogunseye, Wayne Ridgley (Marlon Pinder 66), Kieran Williams. Unused subs: Isy Nzelo, Youcef Azzouz.
Referee: Michele Gallo
Attendance – 56
