Guildford City (1) 4, Corinthian-Casuals (1) 2
by Barry Underwood
Guildford City came up with a much needed three points just when the relegation trapdoor had started to loom before their eyes. There was little between the sides in the first period with half chances at either end. Early on Marvin Wood was called on to save smartly, whilst the lively Joel Oppong reached the byline where he was crowded out. Oppong repeated the feat soon after and Kai Zini forced Mo Maan into a diving save. City newcomer Abdullah Selloum then forced Maan into another diving save although in truth his effort lacked power. On 16 minutes Casuals went ahead. A deep free kick into the box found Clayton Alonso and his header nestled into the far corner. A through ball put Kai Zini into space on the right but the advancing goalkeeper managed to block his attempted lob. Guildford managed to draw level just before the break and there was an air of good fortune about the goal. Mo Maan’s poor clearance went straight to Tyrese Agbontaen who drove goalward. Maan had a second attempt at the ball, but the ball ricocheted towards goal where Agbontaen tucked the ball home. In the final moments of the half Abdullah Selloum fired powerfully just wide of the post.
It wasn’t the most fluent of games with both sides struggling to keep possession for extended periods. It was City though who found the momentum to score again. Joel Oppong again reached the byline, and this time Abdullah Selloum was on hand to net from six yards. Casuals luck was out moments later when Rafael Barbosa’s low effort hit the inside of the post and was cleared. Guildford were looking lively and after an interchange of passes Selloum burst through a gap where he was brought down. A penalty was awarded which was converted by Joel Oppong. The same combination of players linked again but Maan saved well at Selloum’s feet. On 82 minutes City scored their fourth. A cross from the left was headed home by Alex McLean. In extended stoppage time Kiyo Brown netted at the back post for Casuals but Guildford had enough about them to claim the points.
Team: Marvin Wood, Naison O’Neill, Joe Atkin (Ben Matthews 72), Ben Drake, Bertie Saunders, Alexander-William Nwadike (Kaliam Safou 80), Tyrese Agbontaen, Abdullah Selloum (Robbie Mundow 82), Alex McLean (Alex Rodway-Brown 82), Kai Zini (Emeka Okakpu 88), Joel Oppong.
Referee: Nigel Owen
Attendance – 91
Photograph by Luke Davidson