Guildford City (0) 1, Epsom & Ewell (0) 2
Match report by Barry Underwood
Despite a valiant fight Guildford City succumbed to relegation on the final day of their season. For the first time in 22 years City are destined to play Step Six football in whichever league the FA see fit. Within minutes of the kick-off Guildford might have thought they were being welcomed to hades and not step six! A thunderclap overhead was followed by darkened skies and a hailstorm that left the surrounding track coated white. A wag in the crowd suggested it was weather befitting Boxing Day. Gradually the storm moved away, and the club dared to turn off the unwanted floodlights. There was mind you a football match still being played. Epsom had seen a shot in the box blocked and for Guildford Darnell Jon-Peter had turned a low cross goalward where it was cleared off the line. Both sides had good possession but throughout the game City couldn’t fashion enough clear chances on goal. From a long throw on the half hour George Burgess-Allen’s snapshot was saved by Kit Fletcher in the visitor’s goal. In response Epsom headed over the bar from close range. In the final moments of the half Bertie Saunders didn’t connect with the ball at the back post, whilst in reply George Hyde made a smart save at a forward’s feet in the goalmouth.
Minutes into the second period Epsom took the lead. The impressive Courtney Swaby danced into the box and fired home from 15 yards. Burgess-Allen saw a shot parried whilst it appeared for a second that Darnell Jon-Peter was through on goal, but a fine covering tackle negated the opening. In turn George Hyde saved well from a Jason Vincent volley. Epsom’s Ali Fofahan found himself free in front of goal but his first touch after coming off the bench let him down and the chance went. With 10 minutes remaining Josh Oppong couldn’t get enough power in his effort, and Naison O’Neill saw his chance blocked. Then with two minutes remaining Guildford were given just a chance. A Kai Zini corner was headed home at the near post by Kallum Peart who just days earlier had donned goalkeeper gloves at Camberley. Despite City’s pressure it was Epsom who had the chances in added time. George Hyde saved well from Craig Dundas. Then in the seventh minute of stoppage Epsom converted a controversial penalty through Fofahan to win the game. With results elsewhere going against them it was confirmed that Guildford City were relegated!
Team: George Hyde, Naison O’Neill, Sam Sesay, Ben Drake, Bertie Saunders, Alex Nwadike, Darnell Jon-Peter (Kallum Peart 82), George Burgess-Allen (Joe Atkin 74), Ben Matthews (Alex McLean 82), Kai Zini, Joel Oppong. Unused sub: Ben Kennett.
Referee: Daniel Harvey
Attendance – 150
Photograph by Luke Davidson