Guildford City put three goals past last season’s title challengers Molesey and kept their first cleansheet of the season in a comfortable victory. Simon Cooper netted first for City in the 15th minute. City enjoyed control of the match throughout, barring some home side pressure at the end of each half, but only doubled their lead when Jack Guilford popped up to head home from a cross in the 66th minute. Dan Moody settled the tie in the 73rd minute, slotting home from the edge of the area.
‘Athletico Guildford’ took to the field with an unfamiliar combination of red and white shirts, blue shorts and red socks but quickly found their usual stride. A Ben Rayner free kick caused havoc in the Molesey defence, and Simon Cooper made the most of a goal-line ‘clearance’ (by a City player!) to slam home the opening goal. But Rayner spurned an opportunity to double the lead just two minutes later when Molesey goalkeeper Wester Young saved his low spot kick after Austin Gacheru was, perhaps harshly, adjudged to have been fouled by Jenkins en route to goal. Molesey began to settle towards the end of the half but never really tested Antony Hall, with the City back four of Defreitas, Cooper, Penson and Holder dealing with the hosts’ threat. The closest they came was a McShane free kick that ran just wide of the post.
There were numerous chances to extend the lead, with Austin Gacheru being denied just as he went to pull the trigger, Young pulling off a good save to deny Jack Guilford and Tom Penson fizzing a shot just wide. It was the midfield’s chance to shine as they worked tirelessly to keep Molesey at bay, with Martin Debrah chasing down enthusiastically. And Guilford did manage to score City’s second, nodding home to score his first goal of the season after a cross evaded Molesey centre back Tom Dilloway. The home side’s best chance came when Quarshie found himself with space to get a shot away, but his shot was scuffed wide.
The result was put beyond doubt when Dan Moody guided the ball past Young with 17 minutes left, taking advantage of a deflection, and City continued their unbeaten start to the league season with 6 wins from 7 matches – five of them away from home.
Video highlights available here.
Guildford City:
Antony Hall, Elvis Defreitas, Ben Rayner, Simon Cooper, Tom Penson, Corey Holder, Dan Moody, Tony Chaplin (Luke Bradnick 78), Jack Guilford, Austin Gacheru (Ben Camara 67), Martin Debrah (Joel Hughes 67).
Unused substitutes: Dan Clayton, Lance Banton-Brown
Caution: Elvis Defreitas
