Guildford City (1) 3, Tooting Bec (1) 2
by Barry Underwood
A larger than average crowd assembled at Woking Park to witness the visitor’s first foray into the FA Cup. Conditions weren’t ideal with strong gusts of wind blowing across the pitch. Perhaps for that reason it was a tentative opening from both sides, and the first effort on goal didn’t come until nine minutes in; Eli Ogunseye saw a 30 yard effort go wide, whilst Tooting saw an effort well blocked by Sean Mason. Gradually City started to look more threatening. Theo Woodhouse saw a long range effort go wide, whilst on 24 minutes fine interplay with Dan Harding saw Darryl Siaw poke the ball past the keeper but also wide of the post. On 32 minutes Harding himself came close when his 30 yard effort clipped the top of the crossbar. Then against the run of play Tooting scored their first ever FA Cup goal. A cross shot was parried by Stuart Norman and Darius Heraui was on hand to slide the ball home. Guildford needed to get back on terms before the interval. Kieran Campbell saw a header saved low down, but in the 41st minute Eli Ogunseye accepted Harding’s defence splitting pass to round the keeper and put City level.
As the second-half commenced the heavens opened and spectators were sent scurrying for shelter. The rain didn’t affect the home side as they went forward with aplomb. Eli Ogunseye did well to get to the by-line but his cross eluded his colleagues. Ryan Dacres-Smith also had a shooting chance from 12 yards that was well saved. After ten minutes the rain stopped and City strangely went into a shell. Tooting then enjoyed their best period of the game and were unlucky not to score when a point blank header was brilliantly saved by Stuart Norman. The visitors still pressed and Norman saved well again tipping an effort onto the crossbar. The pressure was eased when the home side scored a second goal courtesy of a 67th minute glancing header from Luke Beale. This visibly lifted Guildford and Theo Woodhouse’s slide rule pass gave Eli Ogunseye another opportunity but his effort was mishit and drifted wide. Things seemed a whole lot more comfortable on 78 minutes. Eli Ogunseye cut in from the right and his pass across the six yard box was met by Cyril Ocansey who tucked the ball home. It wouldn’t be Guildford if the fans didn’t have to sweat late in the game, and on 86 minutes an under hit back pass that stranded Stuart Norman gave Alistair Wiltshire a simple tap in to bring it back to 3-2. But City did see the game out against their valiant opponents and they now advance to host Brighton’s AFC Varndeanians.
Team: Stuart Norman, Sean Mason, Isy Nzelo, Theo Woodhouse, Luke Beale, Billy Irving, Eli Ogunseye, Ryan Dacres-Smith, Kieran Campbell (Benga Ogunseye 63), Dan Harding (Bobby Webbe 77), Darryl Siaw (Cyril Ocansey 63). Unused subs: Callum Wilson, Leavan Sullivan, Josh Ogunseye, Shaun Smart.
Referee: James Robinson
Attendance – 134
