Hanworth Villa (0) 0, Guildford City (0) 1
by Barry Underwood
After a desperate four match losing run, Guildford got back on track last evening at Rectory Meadow against a spirited Hanworth side who are battling towards the foot of the table. With three regulars already missing due to suspension and injury, Guildford were hit further prior to kick-off with Bobby Webbe and Kyen Nicholas also withdrawing due to injury. Understandably given their recent run of results, and the makeshift nature of the side, City’s early play was rather nervous and disjointed. There was a fair amount of possession, but too often passes were going astray, and Hanworth, with three new players signed on the eve of the match, were working hard to hustle mistakes. But throughout City’s backline looked secure, and City keeper Stuart Norman had but one save to make and that fell early in the third minute.
That chance on three minutes fell when a free-kick into the box found a free man at the back of the box but his header was comfortably saved by Norman. There was little to choose between the sides throughout the first period, but noticeably as the half progressed Guildford grew more in confidence, with Eli Ogunseye in particular starting to look dangerous down the right side. From one run on 17 minutes Eli escaped the clutches of the defence and pulled the ball back to Benga Ogunseye whose effort was saved by Terry Buss in the Villa goal; the ball being scrambled away for a corner. On 27 minutes Villa had a half chance when a shot from an acute angle cleared the crossbar. Guildford responded well and good work from Nathaniel Williams on the left gave Benga Ogunseye an opportunity on the edge of the box, but in trying to find a clear opening the chance was lost. Just after the half hour Guildford’s resolve was tested once again when full-back Isy Nzelo limped off with a hamstring injury to be replaced by 18 year old Dom Easton. As the half came to a conclusion both teams had chances. Villa volleyed over following a free-kick, and a cross from Sean Mason nearly caught out Buss who pushed the ball away from under his crossbar.
City opened the second period brightly. Six minutes in the lively Eli Ogunseye was brought down on the right edge of the box. Kiye Martin’s free-kick was poor but luck was on his side as the ball rebounded back off the wall and his dinked second effort into the box was powerfully headed home by Benga Ogunseye. With the confidence of a goal City looked a different side. Kiye Martin curled an effort over the bar, and Benga Ogunseye twice forged shooting chances. There was a moment of concern for City fans as Villa shot just wide with Stuart Norman scrambling across goal. On 71 minutes Benga Ogunseye muscled his way through defenders to hook an effort just wide amidst claims from City that Ogunseye had been clattered in the process of shooting. On 77 minutes a delicate pass gave Dan Stewart an opportunity but Terry Buss made the first of several saves at the feet of onrushing Guildford players. With five minutes remaining Villa shot over the bar from wide on the right, after which City managed the game’s final moments to claim the three points.
Team: Stuart Norman, Sean Mason, Isy Nzelo (Dominic Easton 36), David Burton (Jamie Phillips 83), Luke Beale, Billy Irving, Eli Ogunseye, Dan Stewart, Benga Ogunseye, Kiye Martin, Nathaniel Williams (Tom Griffin 78). Unused sub: Dan Hurlow.
Referee: Dominic Wynter