Guildford City (1) 2, Thatcham Town (0) 0
by Charlie Matthews
In the last game before Christmas City looked to end on a high after what has been a very mixed year for the Sweeney. The opening 10 minutes didn’t have much action with both teams probing for an opening. City then started to pressure the Thatcham side in all departments of the pitch pressuring Town to make mistakes. City started to work the ball into the box, but no end product came. Thatcham then began to grow into the game also playing some dangerous balls across the box, but no one could meet the ball before a City defender could clear. Thatcham then had the best opening of the game so far with another great ball being pinged in and met by a flying header, but City’s new goalie Adam Withers had amazing reactions to palm the ball away. In the 33rd minute City did well after a lovely ball played by Kai Zini giving Alex McLean the chance to shoot from outside the box and skimming the crossbar. The same passage of play happened a minute later but Joel Oppongs couldn’t get enough power on the shot playing it into the keepers’ hands. Oppong continued to perform well with nearly a goal of the season contender in the 44th minute taking the ball from the hallway line running through numerous defenders before Towns central defender pulled off a brilliant tackle to stop the shot on goal. Then City got their opener. A questionable decision by the linesman giving City a corner led to Zini whipping a perfect ball into the back post and being met by the head of Alex McLean to give his side the lead.
The second half start was like the first half with both teams looking to get a shot on goal. Until the 63rd minute that is when Darnell Jon-Peter was taken down by Thatcham’s keeper resulting in a penalty. Kai Zini stepped up for the penalty which was poorly struck down the middle of the goal. The keeper saved the ball, but Zini managed to follow it up smashing it into the roof of the net. In the 75th minute a Thatcham shot dropped down to a blue shirt on the edge of the box, but the shot was sent flying over the bar. A free kick in the 83rd minute saw Thatcham whip a very dangerous ball into the box. In trying to make a clearance the ball deflected of the back of a Thatcham player nearly going in the net but another great reaction save from Adam Withers kept the clean sheet alive. Joel Oppong looked lively for sections of the second half using his pace and strength to work down the left and side dribbling past defenders setting up chances for the City attack. As City kept hold of the ball as the clock wound down and after five minutes of additional time the full-time whistle went and City had gained another important three points. An early Christmas present for the Sweeney and hopefully more games like this to follow.
Team: Adam Withers, Tobi Falodi, Callum Hope, Ben Drake, Alexander-William Nwadike, Tre Woolliscroft, George Burgess-Allen (Callum Hamnett 88), Joel Oppong (Emeka Okakpu 73), Alex McLean (Luca Le Page 78), Kai Zini, Darnell Jon-Peter (Bamidele Esan 90).
Referee: Daniel Bright
Attendance – 86
Photograph by Luke Davidson