Guildford City (1) 1, Cobham (1) 4
by Barry Underwood
It was a sad evening at the Spectrum. Last summer Sheerwater’s manager Pete Ruggles and his coaching staff had joined Guildford City, which was an unpopular move at the Woking based club. Eight months later this match was the first meeting between the two sides since Ruggles departure. It was clear that feelings still run high in certain quarters, and after Guildford conceded a fluke own-goal the game descended into an ugly and unedifying spectacle. Make no mistake Sheerwater under John Comer are a decent side and are now seven matches unbeaten. They fully deserved their victory, but some Guildford officials were left wondering about the direction of the beautiful game.
For the record Sheerwater opened the game in lively fashion and on 11 minutes Sean Swift was given too much space on the left from where he shot inside the far post. Guildford soon settled and for much of the first-half they looked the better side. From a long throw Stephan Langley hooked an effort from close range just wide. On 25 minutes Guildford drew level. Jamie Pearce’s long throw evaded defenders and Ashley Hitchinson converted from close range for his sixth goal of the season. Minutes later City came close again when Joe Condon shot wide from Enow Ojong’s cross.
After the break Guildford immediately went behind when a back pass bobbled over Stuart Norman’s attempted clearance and rolled slowly into the goal. This seemed to disorientate the home side who nearly conceded again when Jacob Breckon pulled a shot wide. On the hour as the game became more bad-tempered Michael Leech glanced a header home to make it 3-1. Ricardo Andre crossed powerfully for Guildford but the ricochet in the box saw the ball rocket just over the bar. A 25-yard effort from Leon Dadey also narrowly missed the woodwork. But City were being out fought and in stoppage time Breckon did well on the left and Tommy Whitby scored from an acute angle.
Team: Stuart Norman, Stephan Langley, Leon Dadey, Tommy Brunton (Shane Cheeseman 70), Campbell Scott, Jamie Pearce, Scott Costello, Ashley Hitchinson, Joe Condon (Cameron Gyeabour 63), Enow Ojong (Cameron Edwin 891), Ricardo Andre. Unused sub: Neil Roissetter, Sam Hunt.
Referee: Sam Gregory
Attendance – 96
