Guildford City 4 – 0 Farnham Town: Match Report

Guildford City (2) 4, Farnham Town (0) 0
By Barry Underwood.

 

Guildford City extended their winning streak to four matches against Farnham Town on Wednesday evening in what was in all probability their best home performance since the 2012-13 season. Billed as the “Hogs Back Derby”, Farnham came into the game without a win in four matches, although they had held championship contenders Camberley Town to a draw last Saturday. Gratifyingly for the football purists present this was no game of “kick and rush”. Both sides looked to pass the ball but the difference on the evening was Guildford’s width of play, whilst for all of Farnham’s patient build up the final pass was often lacking.

The opening period was fairly even but from the early stages City showed their speed in converting defence into attack. On five minutes after a fast counter-attack Jack Collins saw a shot blocked, but not deterred they took the lead the lead a minute later when Anthony Baker slid Dan Stewart through a gap and his early effort nestled low into the corner of the net. Encouraged by this early success City were into their stride and from a corner Tadej Venta’s header was scrambled off the line. On 17 minutes City deservedly went two goals ahead; Jack Collins firing in a low effort from 30 yards that defeated Farnham keeper Matt Pett’s best efforts.

With a two goal advantage City seemed to ease off a tad and Farnham re-established their share of the possession and on the half hour they came closest to getting on the score sheet. A whipped cross from the right was headed smartly goalward by Luke Whiddett but City’s debutant goalkeeper Alex Harris was equal to the task and pulled off a fine reaction save. Seconds before the half-time interval Tadej Venta twice came close the scoring. Firstly his header from a corner was acrobatically saved by Petts, and from the resultant corner he saw another header brush the outside of the post.

 

Earlier in the season it was common for City to give up half-time leads and go on to lose matches. This though is a different City side. Minutes after the restart Florin Ramizi’s run and low cross from the right was met by Jack Collins whose effort was wide of the upright.

On 53 minutes another Venta header from a corner was blocked on the line but this time Anthony Baker was on hand in the melee to bundle the ball home. With City now three goals to the good they visibly grew in confidence. Exciting youth player Kiyanu Pillay played Dan Stewart into space but his effort from an angle was well saved by Petts. A long range effort from Bruce McPhail just cleared the crossbar but on 85 minutes City scored a fourth to round off a highly satisfactory performance. Substitute Rory Cornelius crossed from the right and Dan Stewart was able to rise high enough to direct a header back into the corner of the net. Florin Ramizi also came close at the death but best of all after another win City march on.

 

Team: Alex Harris, Jordan Taylor, Bruce McPhail, Myles Jones (Luke Simmonds 70), Tadej Venta, Kristian Campbell, Florin Ramizi, Jack Collins, Dan Stewart, Anthony Baker (Rory Cornelius 78), Kiyanu Pillay (Josh Everard 78).

 

Referee: Gary Worrell

 

Attendance – 93