Guildford City (1) 2, Chipstead (2) 3
by Barry Underwood
In a superbly entertaining game for the neutral Guildford fell to defeat at the Spectrum by 3-2. But my goodness they gave their all for the cause, and they were in the end unlucky to come away without any reward. Darnell Jon-Peter’s red card just before the break was a big blow to the side, although at the same time it also had the effect of firing the players to greater heights.
For the second consecutive game City conceded in just the third minute. Chipstead spun the ball back and forth and a Tijani Eshilokun shot from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection and nestled in the bottom corner. Minutes later Manny Acheampong picked up a loose ball deep in Chipstead’s half and his early effort from 35 yards cleared the crossbar. Guildford had another half chance on 13 minutes. From a free-kick the ball fell to Jake Brown but he couldn’t quite get his feet in order to shoot. But it was City who scored on 22 minutes; Tywon Gray’s through ball was finished superbly by Manny Acheampong who lifted the ball into the net from 20 yards. Malachai Cole who was impressive throughout ran well into the box but he couldn’t quite latch onto Acheampong’s back-heel. Chipstead looked dangerous throughout with their wide men especially threatening. On 27 minutes Jacob Terry saved a powerful effort for a corner, followed shortly after by a save with his feet just inside the post. Malachai Cole shot over the bar after combining with Acheampong, but the games defining moment came on 41 minutes when a frustrated Darnell Jon-Peter was shown a second yellow card for disputing the first card too vigorously. So City were down to 10 players and Chipstead saw an opportunity. A shot went over the bar but seconds before the break the experienced Michael Dixon headed home from a left-wing cross.
Down to 10 they may have been but City are one of the fittest sides in the league, and they gave everything after the break to get a result. Tywon Gray’s attempted cross nearly deceived Chipstead’s keeper who scrambled it away for a corner. The lively Manny Acheampong was fouled right on the edge of the box from which Tobi Falodi’s power free kick was blocked and the rebound blazed just over. On 75 minutes City got the equaliser their play deserved; Gray’s through ball being finished with aplomb by Manny Acheampong for his seventh goal of the season. Parity only lasted three minutes. The lively Emmanuel Robe crossed from the right and Zak Jakubowski was on hand for Chipstead to convert from close range. Acheampong had a shot saved in stoppage time, but this time Guildford couldn’t get back on level terms.
Team: Jacob Terry, Tobi Falodi, Tywon Gray, Ben Drake, Jake Brown (Kainen Oragbade 73), Joe Atkin (Leevi Bassett 73), Luca Le Page (Tobi Shoyoye 58), Malachai Cole (Freddie Robins 84), Darnell Jon-Peter, Manny Acheampong, Benji Gambrah. Unused Sub: Joshua Adjei.
Referee: Nigel Owen
Attendance – 94