REPORT: GUILDFORD CITY 1 MOLESEY FC 1

Guildford City (0) 1, Molesey (1) 1
by Barry Underwood

The visitors came to the Spectrum as the side at the foot of the table, but also buoyed by the fact that they had taken a point off of the league leaders the week before. After six minutes City had their first opportunity on goal. Billy Connor gave Mike Coppinger a shooting opportunity that saw Molesey keeper Shay Honey save diving low down. An error in defence gave Molesey a sight of goal but the half volley went just wide. In a good spell the hardworking Finley Warren saw an effort saved from an acute angle, followed shortly after by Billy Connor striking the post from 25 yards. Guildford haven’t been awarded a penalty for some 16 matches and Ethan Nelson-Roberts certainly felt that a challenge on him on 28 minutes was worthy of such an award. But the referee felt otherwise and waved play on. Then with their only effort of the half Molesey took the lead, and a good goal it was with Kailen North shooting home from distance. Just prior to the interval Nat Mensah and Billy Connor rather got in each other’s way as they attempted to shoot with just Honey to beat. On the stroke of half-time the skipper Antonio Simeone got his head to a corner, but Honey saved comfortably.

Kicking towards the Burpham end in the second half City started brightly. Mensah gave Billy Connor a shooting chance which Honey saved with his feet, whilst from a great cross Mike Coppinger’s close range header was saved at point blank range. It wasn’t all one way though as on 54 minutes Mike McEntegart saved well with his legs, followed moments later by another fine save. The powerful Antonio Officer made several strong runs in the second period, and from one run he blazed over the bar. Eventually on 66 minutes City drew level. A fine cross from the left giving Mike Coppinger the chance to pick his spot to side foot home. Shortly after the visitors felt they were denied a penalty after a possible handball in the box. Then with 10 minutes remaining Harrison Livingstone, Jordan Adeyemi and Ethan Nelson-Roberts all saw efforts go just wide. For Molesey a good cross went dangerously through the area without anyone making contact. In the final moments debutant Oli Lahtinen-Kalsi was kicked to the ground off the ball with no official witnessing the act. With tempers raised this was followed by a terrible front on tackle on the same player that deserved a red card but inexplicably the two officials who were just yards away thought yellow was sufficient. In the resulting added time Prince Mbengui headed a cross wide from six yards after which the whistle immediately blew.

Team: Mike McEntegart, Oliver Lahtinen-Kalsi, Ethan Nelson-Roberts, James Glover, Antonio Simeone, Lawson Bright, Finley Warren (Prince Mbengui 80), Yannick Monga, Billy Connor (Harrison Livingstone 61), Mike Coppinger, Nathaniel Mensah (Jordan Adeyemi 61). Unused subs: Kyrell Palmer, Campbell Scott.

Referee: Erno Vajda

Attendance – 102