REPORT: GUILDFORD CITY 1 BECKENHAM TOWN 7

League leaders Beckenham Town came to the Spectrum and showed their undoubted class by putting a hugely disappointing Guildford side to the sword. City had played well midweek to win with 10 men, but this performance showed just how far they have to go if they are to build a promotion seeking side.

Within seconds of the start Steve Townsend found himself in plenty of space on the left before curling a low shot inches wide of the post. After that warning Guildford enjoyed a period of parity. Antonio Simeone on the edge of the box saw a shot saved for a corner from which Ryan Huckle headed just wide. Beckenham’s opener came on 18 minutes when Tundu Aderonmu headed home from an excellent cross. A killer punch came immediately when the visitors made it two from a swift counter attack. Again, Townsend was in plenty of space and his low cross was converted at the back post by Nick Curran. Guildford were stunned and on 32 minutes they conceded a poor goal.  Goalkeeper Nick Blue quickly kicked the ball down the pitch. The ball sailed over City’s defence for ex-Woking striker Louis Theophanous to run on and score. Beckenham almost gave City a helping hand when a defensive header evaded Nick Blue and the ball rolled slowly just wide of the post. Harry Laflin saw a shot on the turn clear the bar, before three minutes from the break Steve Townsend seem to have plenty of time to slot home from close range. As the half-concluded Guildford had a great opportunity to score. Reece Deakin broke free but was brought down from behind as he neared the box. The visitors escaped with a yellow card and Harrison Livingstone’s free kick was comfortably saved.