Horley Town 7 – 1 Guildford City: Match Report

Horley Town (4) 7, Guildford City (0) 1
By Barry Underwood

One step forward and three steps back! After significant progress in both performance and results in their last two home fixtures against Badshot Lea and Windsor, Guildford City slipped back horribly with a lifeless and lack lustre performance at the New Defence stadium. Right from kick-off Horley came out with energy and enthusiasm and City just couldn’t cope with the width of the passing and pace of the game. Granted a sickness bug and delays at work had cost the visitors dear with Bruce McPhail, Ryan Wallis, Liam Harwood and Tom Penson all withdrawing at various stages during the day. 18 year old defenders George Baldwin and Liam Talbot were drafted in and both were given a torrid time in a tough baptism of fire.

 

With City on the back foot, Antony Hall was first called into action on five minutes; saving at close range from Nathan Jupp. Two minutes later Horley were in front, Adam Pullin converting from close range. On nine minutes the impressive Ashley Nadesen had outpaced the defence and had calmly lifted the ball over Hall to make it 2-0. The visitors were struggling to make headway beyond midfield and it came as no surprise to the sizeable Sweeney following present to see an unmarked Nadesen head Horley’s third from close range on 21 minutes. On a rare foray forward Stefan Joseph saw a header saved from a Ben Rayner corner, and shortly before the interval Jack Guilford very nearly connected with a clever floated pass from Jordan Taylor. As if to confirm there would be no comeback Nathan Jupp headed down a cross and Ashley Nadesen had time to smash the ball home to complete a first half hat-trick.

 

With a four goal interval lead Horley took their foot of the pedal early in the second period and City certainly were livelier. Within minutes of the restart the hard working Jack Guilford had a half chance as he burst into the box but home keeper George Hyde was able to force a block at close range. On the hour the same player netted what proved to be a consolation for the visitors as he placed a loose ball into the corner from the edge of the box. Thoughts of an unlikely comeback were dashed on 65 minutes when the unfortunate Liam Talbot could only divert a long throw into his own net.

 

City still went forward with winger Navid Zandi now off the bench adding some urgency. Defensively though City were paper thin and it was no surprise that Richard Wetton and Jarrod McElliogott had the time and space to score in the final minutes. Undoubtedly an embarrassing experience for Guildford that was reminiscent of last season’s Southern South & West horror stories. It is fair to say nobody saw this coming and everybody at the club knows that results such as this are totally unacceptable. An immediate response on the pitch is required.

 

Team: Antony Hall, Elvis Defreitas, Liam Talbot, George Baldwin (Anthony Bridgeman 59), Ray Guilford, Ben Rayner, Jordan Taylor, Jack Guilford, Anthony Baker, Stefan Joseph (Sam Spencer 78), Junior Alade (Navid Zandi 72).

 

Yellow cards: Ben Rayner, Junior Alade.

 

Referee: Aaron Goodwin

 

Attendance –

Match Day Photos are here