Guildford City (1) 5, Farnborough (0) 0
This match might only have been a friendly but my goodness how well Guildford City played against their higher league opponents. It was a match arranged at short notice following the postponement of City’s Combined Counties match at Hanworth Villa, and also Farnborough FC’s postponement of their home Ryman Premier clash against Billericay Town. It was as well that the encounter took place on a 3G surface as for the majority of the match those present suffered the effects of driving wind and rain. City opened with plenty of energy against a Farnborough side fielding a strong line-up. Playing their usual pressing game at a high tempo City were forcing Farnborough into errors and any neutral watching wouldn’t have been able to distinguish which of the sides plays their football in the Ryman Premier Division. On 15 minutes Guildford took the lead when big Adam Turner glanced in a header from a corner. At the other end Luke Badiali was called into spectacular action once but largely Farnborough’s attacking options were limited and City went in at the interval comfortable with both their performance and single goal lead.
Farnborough’s offence was little better in the second period and they were well contained by a disciplined City defence. Increasingly Guildford’s own offence grew stronger and on 59 minutes they went two goals ahead when Jack Battie forced his way through on the left to shoot past the advancing goalkeeper. Gradually substitutes were introduced into the game with Callum Sexton and Chad Goulter gaining valuable game time, as well as impressive debutant Jerry Amoo. On 72 minutes Darren Caesar finished off a fine move from 10 yards, and minutes later Jerry Amoo’s breathtaking run concluded with him shooting home from the edge of the box. With minutes remaining the powerful figure of Connor French fired home from close range to round off an impressive performance during which he had led the line superbly. This was only a friendly fixture played on a good surface but what a performance by Dean Thomas’s young side. The task now will be taking that form into forthcoming league matches starting next Saturday 16 January when Horley Town are visitors to the Spectrum. One thing can be sure and that is that the Guildford City side will not be lacking in confidence.
Team: Luke Badiali, Oliver Reynolds (Callum Sexton), James Davies, Martin Dynan (Tom Booth), Adam Turner, Harry Driver (Jerry Amoo), Adam Nditi, Jack Battie (AN Reynolds), Connor French, Darren Caesar, Sanchez Benali.
