Newport IOW (1) 2, Guildford City (0) 2
by Barry Underwood
Guildford City, complete with a large Sweeney following, journeyed to the Isle of Wight on Saturday in FA Cup action. A City side hadn’t faced Newport IOW in the FA Cup since 1945 and on that occasion the Island side were triumphant. This modern day version of City side was quietly confident going into this encounter and indeed they started the match well. Within minutes of the start Kieran Campbell lifted a free-kick well over the crossbar from just outside the box, and a minute later the same player glanced a header just wide of the post from a corner. On seven minutes Nathaniel Williams ran from deep before miscueing an effort wide of the post. After City’s lively opening Newport settled and began to enjoy more possession with Josh Young pulling the strings. A shot from a half clearance forced Luke Badiali into a diving save and on the half hour Young’s free kick from outside the box was blocked by the wall. On 38 minutes the home side took the lead when Charlie Urry cut inside and shot beyond Badiali. In first-half stoppage time City came close to an equaliser; Ben Franklin’s corner cannoning goalward off Nemo Adams and forcing veteran keeper Gary Streeter into a fine point blank save.
Being a goal down wasn’t in the script for Guildford and they came out for the second period much the livelier of the two sides. Louie Downey saw a low shot from an angle half spilled by Streeter but the ball was cleared as it rolled agonisingly slowly towards the line. Minutes later though City were level when Kieran Campbell swivelled to half volley home from Miguel Anderson’s corner. A prolonged kerfuffle off the ball disrupted City’s dominance and the game became stretched. Newport shot over from a good position at the far post, whilst at the other end Miguel Anderson shot straight at the goalkeeper. A Kieran Campbell volley was again blocked by Streeter, but the prowling Louie Downey couldn’t direct the rebound on target with his head. With 15 minutes remaining City came close again when Kieran Campbell’s effort thundered off a defender and just past the post. It looked as if it wasn’t to be Guildford’s day when a minute later Newport won a penalty and Aidan Sainsbury drilled the ball home. The last 10 minutes ebbed back and forth but the next all important goal fell to the visitors. Josh Coke on the right put Kyen Nicholas through on goal and he expertly finished past the advancing Streeter. Miguel Anderson shot just over from the edge of the box amongst some nervy moments at both ends. The sides will therefore meet again in Surrey on Wednesday.
Team: Luke Badiali, Chris Tancock, Ben Franklin, Luke Beale, Nemo Adams, Louie Downey, Marlon Pinder (Darryl Siaw 63), Miguel Anderson, Kieran Campbell, Dan Stewart (Kyen Nicholas 69), Nathaniel Williams (Josh Coke 78). Unused sub: Chad Goulter.
Referee: Paddy O’Reilly
Attendance – 163
