Guildford City (1) 3, Eversley & California (0) 0
by Barry Underwood
The battle to survive the drop is still ongoing with Guildford City claiming another three points against relegation rivals Eversley & California. On a cold but sunny afternoon conditions were perfect for an important game of football. Early on Joel Oppong’s shot on the turn cleared the bar, whilst for Eversley their main threat came from long throws into the box. From one throw it took an excellent block from Callum Hope on the line to prevent the visitors going ahead. Minutes later from another throw George Hyde palmed the ball away under pressure. City responded from a set piece of their own. Bertie Saunders headed a corner back into the box and Sam Sesay shot inches wide. On 21 minutes a Kai Zini free kick went short to Isaac Brown whose low shot across the six-yard box just evaded Joel Oppong at the back post. Guildford were now enjoying plenty of possession but attempts on goal were from long range. In a rare attack Henry Paxford shot wide for Eversley. Minutes from the interval Kai Zini found space on the left side of the box and shot low past Sam Sawyer into the corner of the net to give City the lead. Zini almost had a second following a good move but off balance his shot lacked power.
Guildford improved further after the break and dominated proceedings. Bertie Saunders had a powerful shot held by Sawyer, as did Sam Sesay moments later. Eversley’s best chance of the half saw a pass laid off to Paxford but Ben Drake appeared from nowhere to make a tremendous block. City went further ahead on 72 minutes. A low ball was played into the box and Ben Matthews, fresh off the bench, had time and space to pick his spot. George Hyde punched away a headed effort before City returned to the offensive. On 81 minutes Ben Matthews thundered an effort against the post. In stoppage time Abdullah Selloum also hit the post but from the loose ball a City player went down courtesy of a clumsy challenge. Up stepped Kai Zini to make it 3-0 from the penalty spot.
Team: George Hyde, Naison O’Neill, Callum Hope (Ben Matthews 70), Ben Drake, Bertie Saunders, Sam Sesay, Tyrese Agbontaen (Joe Atkin 82), George Burgess-Allen (Dylan Summerhayes 87), Isaac Brown, Kai Zini, Joel Oppong (Abdullah Selloum 82).
Referee: Dylan Ing
Attendance – 107
Photograph by Luke Davidson