Guildford City (1) 3, Walton & Hersham (1) 4
by Harry Vidgen
Guildford City were looking to build on their hard fought win against Cobham last time out going into this game. Both sides started brightly with chances for both sides early on. Bobby Webbe’s cross-field ball was picked out of the sky brilliantly by Nathaniel Williams and he hooked a cross into the box that was just too high for Kyen Nicholas. Down the other end, Walton & Hersham’s Darnell Austin’s fizzing shot from the edge of the area sailed just wide of Guildford City’s posts. In a fiercely intense game chances continued to be created but both sides defended bravely. In the 20th minute Kyen Nicholas muscled his way past three Walton & Hersham defenders but was unable to find that killer ball and the chance was lost. With this many opportunities for both sides to open the scoring, it was inevitable that this game would include a few goals and that is most definitely what happened.
The first goal came in the 27th minute. Nathaniel Williams broke up play just in front of his own box and cleared up field to Kyen Nicholas who’s beautifully cushioned header fell into the path of Benga Ogunseye. Benga then slotted a delightful through ball to his brother, Eli Ogunseye, that ripped straight through Walton & Hersham defence. Eli took the ball in his stride and rounded the onrushing Walton & Hersham keeper and gleefully slammed the ball into the back of the empty net to make it 1-0 to Guildford City. Surprisingly, Walton & Hersham responded well to going behind and Guildford City were dealt a hammer blow right on the stroke of halftime. Possession was lost in the midfield and the ball fell to Walton & Hersham’s Sebastian Osei-Obenga who hit it low and hard past the Guildford City keeper. All level at the break.
The second half began and Guildford City, clearly rattled by the goal they conceded before the break, fell further behind within a minute of the restart. Walton & Hersham’s number 7, Tyreke Leslie took on Guildford City’s Sean Mason and fired into the far corner to make it 2-1 to Walton & Hersham. Guildford City weren’t going to let their heads drop though and Nathaniel Williams was released down the left hand side in the 58th minute. He flew into the box and he knocked it past the onrushing Walton & Hersham keeper who wiped him out. Penalty to Guildford City. Benga Ogunseye stepped up and fired in off the post to restore hope for the home side.
However, there was another twist in the tale as straight from kick-off, a hopeful ball was lumped forward by Walton & Hersham and a miscommunication in the Guildford City defence allowed Walton Hersham’s Sebastian Osei-Obenga to nip in behind and hit a fierce volley that cannoned off the underside of the bar and into the back of the net. Horror for Guildford, delight for Walton & Hersham. Walton & Hersham then added to their lead in the 75th minute as a Walton & Hersham corner caused confusion in the Guildford City box and it eventually fell to Tyreke Leslie who swivelled and scuffed it home. Guildford City still continued to drive forward in the latter stages of the game and they were finally rewarded as they were given their second penalty of the game in the 85th minute. Benga Ogunseye stepped up once again and slotted it home. Same corner, same result. Walton & Hersham defended bravely to see the game out. In a match where controversy was present throughout, it was a day to forget for Guildford City FC.
Team: Stuart Norman, Sean Mason, Kyle Carton (Jamie Phillips 84), Ben Cotton (David Burton 79), Luke Beale, Billy Irving, Eli Ogunseye, Bobby Webbe, Kyen Nicholas, Benga Ogunseye, Nathaniel Williams (Jordan Gallagher 70). Unused subs: Tom Griffin.
Referee: Luis Pinto Nunes
Attendance – 76
