This was the archetypal game of two halves. In the first period City failed to settle, perhaps giving too much thought to the difficult playing surface. Lingfield certainly were the livelier of the sides, and in truth they thoroughly deserved their two goal half-time advantage.
Manager Dean Thomas gave the squad the benefit of his wisdom at the interval, and City came out a different side. Showing more positional discipline and composure, City played some good football. Guildford’s first goal came when triallist Kobi Botwe let fly from an advanced position, and saw the ball fly into the net via a significant deflection. Minutes later Botwe had the ball in the net again. This time Ben Walshe’s perfectly flighted ball found both Botwe and Andrew Dalhouse free in front of goal and either player could have tucked the ball home.
There looked as if there would be only one winner with attack after attack down the flanks. All to often though the final cross eluded the strike force, and sadly it was Lingfield who snatched the win after another defensive error.
A much improved second half performance to cheer Dean Thomas after a disappointingly disjointed first period.
Team: Aaron Bufton, Quesi, Bryan Harrison, Matthew King (Bruce McPhail), Ryan Bernard, Tom Mudge, Cambo Smith, Ben Walshe (Mike Woods), Andrew Dalhouse, Scott Fitzsimmons (Kieran Burrell), Calvin Thomas (Kobi Botwe).
City now move on to Farleigh Rovers on Tuesday – 23rd July.
Dulwich Hamlet on Wednesday 24th July in a game now to be played at Beckenham Town’s ground – NEW VENUE
