Guildford City (1) 4, Camberley Town (0) 0
by Barry Underwood
Guildford City advanced to the first qualifying stage of the FA Cup for the second consecutive year after a scintillating performance against Camberley Town at Wey Court. City played some good football against Newport in their FA Cup replay earlier in the week, but this performance was up by several notches. Before the game Camberley was unbeaten in any match this season and they traditionally are a redoubtable side. But on this occasion Camberley were second best throughout, and many seasoned City watchers couldn’t remember, given the strength of the opposition, a more complete performance. Camberley didn’t want for possession, but City’s organisation and hard work didn’t allow them a significant sight of goal. Guildford manager Chris Balchin said after the game “We are starting to come together as a team, and we are bonding well together as a group. It’s also pleasing that it was another clean sheet.”
The game’s first foray went Camberley’s way but a dangerous looking corner was punched clear by Luke Badiali under pressure. It wasn’t long before City enjoyed their own territorial advantage and Dan Stewart did well to break into the box on the left but instead of shooting he elected to lay the ball off to better placed colleagues but the chance was cleared. Camberley’s skipper Jamie Hoppitt, who looked impressive throughout, saw a long range effort go wide of the post. But the clearer chances went City’s way. On 20 minutes a fine passing move between Darryl Siaw and Kieran Campbell gave Chris Tancock a shooting chance and his effort was saved low down by Tom Fawdry. Dan Stewart was alert to the rebound but his effort was also blocked by the brave Fawdry. From the resulting corner City again came close. Fawdry was unable to cling on to the high ball. Chad Goulter reacted well and managed to turn the bouncing ball goalward where it struck the underside of the crossbar. Kieran Campbell lunged in at full stretch attempting to bundle the ball over the line but his effort also hit the crossbar and was cleared. Guildford got themselves on the scoreboard on 32 minutes when Ben Franklin’s perfectly flighted free-kick was headed home in the box by Kieran Campbell. Five minutes later Darryl Siaw had a good chance to add to the scoreline as he bore down on goal from the left. His shot aimed for the corner was though well saved by Fawdry. A minute before the interval a long throw from Town’s Chris Ellis caused a moment of confusion in front of goal but the ball looped just over the crossbar.
The visitors did enjoy a period of pressure at the start of the second period and in a goalmouth scramble full-back Ben Franklin superbly cleared the ball off the line. City still looked dangerous breaking forward and they scored a second after 55 minutes. Louie Downey did well to win back possession, giving Kieran Campbell the opportunity to attack down the right. As he cut inside his attempted shot sliced off his boot, but straight to the unmarked Dan Stewart who reacted sharply to volley home from 12 yards. Minutes later Darryl Siaw again cut in from the left, beating two men if the process, but his shot from an acute angle went into the side netting. On the hour it looked as if Camberley had a good shooting chance but Luke Beale appeared from nowhere to block the effort. Camberley’s fortunes deteriorated on 62 minutes when Jamie Hoppitt was rather unluckily shown a second yellow card and subsequently was dismissed from the field. The visitors now had it all to do and in a brief spell with twenty minutes remaining they enjoyed territorial advantage. Jack Dean shot straight at Luke Badiali, whilst Marcus Cousins’s effort was blocked by the City keeper. On 78 minutes the result was confirmed to all intents and purposes as Nathaniel Williams danced into the box and was brought down. Kieran Campbell stepped up to drill home the spot kick. As the game entered its final stages Miguel Anderson and Campbell both saw close range efforts blocked, but with three minutes remaining Nathaniel Williams again ran strongly into the box but this time his superb curling effort found the top corner. An excellent City performance rounded off by an excellent goal.
Team: Luke Badiali, Chris Tancock, Ben Franklin (Josh Coke 74), Luke Beale, Nemo Dams, Louie Downey, Darryl Siaw (Nathaniel Williams 65), Chad Goulter (Miguel Anderson 65), Kieran Campbell, Dan Stewart, Marlon Pinder. Unused subs: Kyen Nicholas, Nhoj Witter, David Burton.
Referee: Wayne Webb
Attendance – 163
Match Photos – Click Here
