Guildford City (0) 0, Knaphill (2) 3
by Barry Underwood
In a disappointing local derby at the Spectrum, Knaphill cantered to a straight-forward victory. Oddly with relegationsafety still to be confirmed, Guildford were flat and for much of the game looked lethargic. After a period of decent form, it was a set back for a crowd anticipating a “derby-like” game of football.
City did have a chance on goal in just the fourth minute when they won a free kick just outside the box. The shot on goal however from Shi O’Connor cleared not only the wall but also the crossbar. After an uneventful period Knaphill opened the scoring on 18 minutes. It appeared the ball was being shepherded out of play but somehow a Knaphill foot played it into the box where Jack Williamson converted with aplomb. Guildford did come close on 25 minutes when from a free-kick the ball was glanced on to Tom Hegarty who headed just wide of the far post. It was City’s best period of the half and Jamie Pearce forced Jos Barker into a diving save low down. Guildford went two goals down as half-time approached. Seb Karczewski’s shot from the edge of the box hit the post but rebounded into the net off of Stuart Norman’s back!
Hopes of a second half come back were quickly hit when Adam Poynter half volleyed Knaphill’s third goal a minute after the restart. Within minutes a quartet of Guildford substitutes entered the field and City played some of their best football of the match. A Jamil Saleh corner was headed wide by Scott Costello, and on 67 minutes an excellent Langley cross was met by Jack Webb who couldn’t get his shot away under pressure. For Knaphill Dan Bone worked a good wall pass before forcing Stuart Norman into a good save at the near post. On 72 minutes a Stephan Langley header from a cornerwas saved comfortably by Barker. The lively Langley also came close late on with a powerful shot from an angle. Knaphill also had a late chance but Enow Ojong only foundthe side netting.
Team: Stuart Norman, Ashley Hitchinson, Billy Nutbeam(Campbell Scott 51), Tommy Brunton (Campbell Gyeabour 51), Scott Costello, Tom Hegarty, Jack Webb (Harvey Valter 82), Shane Rideout, Jamie Pearce (Stephan Langley 51), Shiloh O’Connor (Jamil Saleh 51), Leon Dadey.
Referee: Sobastien Frazer
Attendance – 86
