Guildford City (2) 3, Newport IOW (0) 0
by Barry Underwood
Guildford City triumphed in their FA Cup replay on Wednesday evening and now go on to face Camberley Town on Sunday. The previous encounter on the Isle of Wight had finished level, with City twice coming back from a goal down. In the replay though City were the dominant force and although the Islanders enjoyed decent possession they were unable to seriously threaten the home goal. City opened brightly and within seconds of the start Marlon Pinder curled a shot high over the crossbar. A goal wasn’t long delayed when on four minutes Darryl Siaw overlapped on the right before crossing with the outside of his foot. The cross was pin point and Dan Stewart headed home his first goal since re-joining the club. Siaw was a menace to the visitor’s defence throughout the first-half and shortly after the goal he hooked the ball over the bar after finding space in the penalty area. The nearest Newport came during the first period was when on 17 minutes a fierce goalmouth scramble saw bodies attracted to the ball like moths round a light. Fortunately for Guildford an offside decision brought the scramble to an end. On the half hour Josh Younie fired a powerful effort wide for Newport, but it was City who finished the half the stronger. Five minutes before the interval Dan Stewart cut in and forced a fine save out of Gary Streeter. Then with the seconds ticking down at the end of the half Darryl Siaw got goal side and was brought down from behind as he bore down on goal. A penalty was awarded and Kieran Campbell stepped up to drill home his third goal of the season.
In the early minutes of the second half Kieran Campbell fired a powerful effort goal wards from 30 yards although Streeter was alert to the danger. With Chad Goulter and Louie Downey working hard in midfield, Newport had few chances to build substantial attacks. Luke Badiali did save a long range shot at his near post but once again City’s well marshalled defence stood firm. It seemed that two goals would be enough to clinch the tie but the match was put beyond doubt with five minutes remaining. Dan Stewart received the ball in the corner of the box and with little hesitation he curled the ball beyond Streeter into the far corner of the net. Guildford dominated the final moments and Stewart might have clinched a hat-trick with a powerful effort just over the crossbar. Aidan Sainsbury did come close to gaining a consolation for Newport but his powerful effort just cleared the bar with Badiali beaten. In the final seconds Dan Stewart’s diving header from Nathaniel Williams cross drifted wide. But it mattered little. Another impressive City performance came to a close with the referees whistle, and now they march on to face fellow CCL club Camberley Town in the next round.
Team: Luke Badiali, Chris Tancock, Ben Franklin, Luke Beale, Nemo Adams (David Burton 74), Louie Downey (Miguel Anderson 59), Darryl Siaw (Nathaniel Williams 70), Chad Goulter, Kieran Campbell, Dan Stewart, Marlon Pinder. Unused subs: Josh Coke, Kyen Nicholas, Nhoj Witter.
Referee: Jonathan Bolland
Attendance – 153
Match Photos – Click here
