Broadfields United (0) 1, Guildford City (2) 2
by Barry Underwood
Guildford City’s new look team made FA Cup progress by overcoming their North London opponents at Tithe Barn. On a warm afternoon the City lads deservedly led at the interval and despite tiring in the latter stages they had enough to book a visit to Corinthian in the next round. There was little between the sides in the early stages, and the first effort on goal came from a home side long shot that cleared the crossbar by some distance. Several times early on Jamie Pearce’s long throws posed a threat to the home defence and from one Billy Murphy’s hooked effort went just wide. After 12 minutes City took the lead. After rather fortunately winning a free kick in an attacking position, Billy Nutbeam’s excellent delivery was glanced home by Lloyd Connelly. Guildford then had chances to extend their lead. From a Hitchinson flick Billy Murphy saw a volley blocked, whilst the lively Morgan Porter shot wide from an angle. The visitors extended their lead on 28 minutes, and it was Porter who crossed low for Kyle Henry to shoot low into the corner from the edge of the box.
After the break the home side enjoyed more possession but excellent City defending largely restricted Broadfields to long range shooting. City still had chances and the hardworking Billy Murphy saw a close-range effort blocked after a period of concerted pressure. It was from a set piece on the hour that the home side got back into the game; a corner being headed powerfully home. Predictably City came under some pressure which they handled impressively. Twice Stuart Norman saved efforts low down, whilst with 10 minutes remaining Norman made a fantastic flying save tipping a rasping effort over the bar. But it wasn’t backs to the wall. Morgan Porter broke into space and saw a shot blocked. Late in the game Shane Cheeseman found himself clear on goal but after a busy afternoon in midfield he was treading in treacle and was overhauled by a covering defender. Two long range efforts for the home side zipped wide without troubling Stuart Norman. After seven minutes of stoppage time the whistle blew, and City opened the “Ruggles Era” with an FA Cup victory.
Team: Stuart Norman, Ashley Hitchinson, Billy Nutbeam, Joe Jarrett, Jamie Pearce, Lloyd Connolly, Morgan Porter (Michael Leech 84), Shane Cheeseman, Billy Murphy (Stephan Langley 87), Scott Costello, Kyle Henry (Leon Dadey 66). Unused subs: Harvey Valter, Neill Roissetter, Richard Shelley.
Referee: Jordan Crichlow
NEXT UP | We travel to Gatwick… and then Jersey as we fly to the Springfield Stadium in our first league game of the season! #Sweeney 
