Guildford departed the FA Vase at the opening stage losing to Kennington by a solitary goal. There was little between the sides throughout the game, and it looked for a long period that just one goal for either side would seal the result. As has become customary City started slowly and their Step 5 opponents dominated possession. Guildford for their part were too often conceding possession putting themselves under pressure. But also as is customary City worked their way slowly into the match with Keone Pillay and Tyreke Martin posing problems on the left. On 27 minutes Kennington escaped into space on the left but bearing down on goal they shot wide. Keone Pillay then crossed dangerously into the six-yard box where the ball was cleared at full stetch from under Josh Williams nose.
After a double substitution at the break Guildford were an improved side second-half. Kiyanu Pillay saw a cross deflected over for a corner and the Surrey side looked much more like their lively selves. Luke Mitchell shot powerfully into the side netting from an acute angle. Kennington imposed their own pressure with a spell of four consecutive corners that culminated in a shot curling just over the crossbar. Just past the hour mark Harry Hennem sent Luke Mitchell into space and his piledriver just cleared the crossbar. Two minutes later a tremendous run by Hennem was halted by a superb last man tackle. Guildford’s best chance came on 68 minutes. Luke Mitchell took the ball past the keeper but on his weaker foot he couldn’t direct his shot on target. Jacob Slyfield saved a powerful effort well, but he was eventually beaten on 78 minutes. A rare mistake in defence gave Kai Garret time and space to race through where he finished clinically past Slyfield in the City goal. The visitors pushed forward in the late stages. Josh Wiiliams had an opening but shot wide. Harry Hennem saw a powerful effort blocked on the edge of the box and Luke Mitchell’s header was tipped over by the home keeper. Deep in stoppage time Rory Cornelius’s curling effort was excellently saved and it wasn’t to be Guildford’s day.
Team: Jacob Slyfield, Jake Bellmaine, Tyreke Martin (Sandhalu Perera 79), Kieron Harris (Harry Hennem 45), Reece Killick, Dan Rolland, Josh Williams, Bilal Chraka (Rory Cornelius 45), Luke Mitchell, Keone Pillay (Cameron Honavar 75), Kiyanu Pillay (Sebastian Villanueva 66).
Referee: Tom Amber
Attendance – 133
