Knaphill (2) 4, Guildford City (0) 0
by Barry Underwood
Championship chasing Knaphill won this derby clash at a canter with two goals in each half. Guildford’s current lack of confidence showed although in the first half especially there was no faulting the effort shown. But as so often this year Guildford were toothless in attack; a situation not helped by Benga Ogunseye failing a pre-match fitness test. On too many occasions possession was squandered, and with 12 matches remaining in the season an urgent rethink is required. There was little between the sides in the opening stages before on 13 minutes Knaphill went ahead. A mistake on the left allowed a low cross to the edge of the box where the predatory Perry Coles shot low into the corner. City tried to respond and both Josh Ogunseye and Isy Nzelo overlapped well on the left, but their crosses came to nothing. Bobby Webbe had a free kick comfortably saved from 25 yards, and truth be told that was the nearest the visitors came to scoring. On 34 minutes Knaphill went two ahead when a free-kick was played to the near post to meet the space-finding Coles who thumped the ball past Devon Gordon. Late in the half Josh Ogunseye rounded the goalkeeper by the touchline but then indecision allowed Maddocks to reclaim the ball. Almost on the whistle another long range shot from Bobby Webbe was comfortably saved.
After a settling period at the start of the second half Knaphill burst into life on 51 minutes; Perry Coles twice being thwarted by Devon Gordon. Within minutes of a narrow miss, the home side scored the game clincher. Coles was allowed to advance along the by-line into the box and from his low cross George Spiers was able to turn the ball home. Guildford were now on the backfoot. Devon Gordon again saved impressively but on 71 minutes there was no stopping Perry Coles completing his hat-trick from close range. A strong run from Kieran Williams saw him shoot wide in a rare attacking moment, and that was soon countered by several Knaphill attempts on goal. Twice Devon Gordon saved well, whilst in the final moments a Knappers free kick rapped the City post and was cleared. A comprehensive win then for the home side, and an afternoon to forget for the visitors.
Team: Devon Gordon, Sean Mason (Dan Hurlow 78), Isy Nzelo (Josh Burrowes 67), Bobby Dormer, Nemo Adams, Luke Beale, Kieran Williams, Ryan Dacres-Smith, Cyril Ocansey, Bobby Webbe, Josh Ogunseye (Josh Everard 67).
Referee: Ryan Woods
