Guildford City (0) 0, Redhill (0) 1
by Barry Underwood
In a dramatic conclusion to the game, it was Redhill who clinched the Premier South championship and gained promotion to the Isthmian League. Overnight, news had broken that title rivals Jersey Bulls had been deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player. This suddenly meant that Redhill and AFC Whyteleafe could both clinch the championship on the season’s final day. With all to play for a large travelling army of Lobsters fans descended on the Spectrum creating a terrific atmosphere. The occasion just needed a victory at the expense of mid-table Guildford City. As the clock ticked round to 90 minutes it seemed the championship might be heading to Whyteleafe. But don’t rule out a championship side! In the second minute of stoppage time Charlie Penny hooked the ball home, and two minutes later the final whistle blew, and the celebrations started.
Such was the pressure and expectation on the visitors that the game was relatively low key. Redhill dominated the first half territorially and also forced a number of half chances without really hitting their stride. Their first chance came on 17 minutes when Olly Allen shot wide following a long throw. A minute later City keeper Monty Conway saved well with his legs and the home defence ushered the loose ball away. Conway was again called into action and Benji Gambrah blocked the follow up effort. Redhill twice more came close, but the half gradually petered out until the half-time whistle.
Guildford looked more threatening after the break, and four minutes after the restart they came mighty close to a goal. A Reece Robins free kick was driven into the box. Qasim Khan missed his header, but the ball continued on its trajectory and struck the foot of the post. There was little between the sides for long periods and City – Joe Atkin in particular – saw two headers clear the crossbar. With 10 minutes remaining Qasim Khan stretched Luke Roberts although mysteriously the referee blew for an offence. On 83 minutes the Lobsters thought they had broken the deadlock when the ball went in the net from close range, but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside. The game ticked into stoppage time. The ball was played into the box. Monty Conway parried an effort which bounced free, and Charlie Penny hooked it into the net! A minute or so later the final whistle blew. Redhill were champions and the celebrations commenced.
Team: Monty Conway, Sam Sesay, Ben Gambrah, Ben Drake (Freddie Robins 35), Alex Stingelin, Joe Atkin, Kai Zini (Luca Le Page 76), Jaiden Chang-Brown, Qasim Khan (Alex Rodway-Brown 86), Manny Acheampong (Jake Brown 86), Reece Robins (Josh Adjei 86).
Referee: Calum Edgcombe
Attendance – 341
Photographs by Chris Pegman
