Guildford City (0) 1, Cobham (1) 1
by Barry Underwood
Against the odds Guildford gained a well-earned point in their Christmas fixture against runaway league leaders Cobham. Cobham were 13 points clear at the top of the table at the start of play, and they are far and away the best side in the division this year. The visitors were missing two players to suspension but nevertheless this is a revitalised City side who are battling to rescue their season. Tactically City sat deep in the first half giving the visitors plenty of time on the ball. But the City defence were heroic conceding just a single goal in the first 45. Cobham’s wing men Patrick Murray and Kingsley Etefia looked dangerous: Murray getting the ball into the box early and Etefia’s quick feet posing problems. Cobham had the ball in the net early on, but it was ruled out for offside. But they were not to be denied on 19 minutes when ex-England schoolboy international Dean Rule headed home Etefia’s cross. In a rare attack just before the break Guildford’s Alex McLean’s shot was blocked at the edge of the box following a free kick.
Guildford pushed more players forward after the break and looked a different side. Despite this Cobham still posed a significant threat. Following what City players thought should have been a foul, Derick Hayford lifted an effort onto the roof of the net. Guildford now enjoyed more territory but couldn’t find a clear opening. On 57 minutes a low Murray shot was well saved low down by Marvin Wood. Then just after the hour City got on the scoresheet to bring the scores level. Darnell Jon-Peter was put through but was brought down by Harry Cawdron in the visitor’s goal. Jon-Peter stepped up himself to convert from the spot. Cobham upped their game with a number of crosses and set pieces into the box. From one Dean Rule looped a header over the bar but Marvin Wood and the defence performed well to keep the league leaders at bay. It seemed Cobham would snatch a win in stoppage time. Defensive indecision saw Dean Rule race through with the ball at his feet. Covering defender Alexander-William Nwadike dived in in a desperate challenge missing the ball but making contact with Rule. A red card was correctly awarded, and City’s ten men saw out the remaining minutes to claim an important point.
Team: Marvin Wood, Tobi Falodi, Callum Hope (Luca Le Page 71), Ben Drake, Alexander-William Nwadike, Tre Woolliscroft, Naison O’Neill (Joel Oppong 66), George Burgess-Allen, Alex McLean, Kai Zini (Emeka Okakpu 79), Darnell Jon-Peter (Joe Atkin 90).
Referee: Craig Griffiths
Attendance – 104
Photograph by Luke Davidson