Guildford City (0) 2, Colliers Wood United (0) 1
by Barry Underwood
A stoppage time winner from Scott Costello saw Guildford City beat third place Colliers Wood and extend their run of improved form. The visitors will feel somewhat aggrieved because they dominated the first period, although to be fair City themselves certainly came alive after the break. For much of the first period Guildford struggled to make headway, and it was clear to the neutral which side are challenging at the top of the table. But largely thanks to City’s stand-in keeper Craig Smith both sides went in at the break goalless and with all to play for. Ex-City player Kieran Campbell is in a rich vein form this season and on 10 minutes his half volley tested Smith. Smith saved again within seconds when a loose ball from a corner was fired goalward. In a rare City attack on 14 minutes Jacob Breckon spun in the box and Josh Barnett saved well low down. Mid half Kieran Campbell volleyed wide at the back post, and a minute later a looping effort hit the crossbar and the shot from the rebound was brilliantly saved by Craig Smith. Smith saved fantastically again when Kiyo Brown powered a cross shot from an angle. For City a rushed Enow Ojong effort forced Barnett into a save, but generally City’s possession was being given away too cheaply.
The home side played more confidently after the break, although that didn’t stop Colliers Wood going ahead courtesy of a wonder Kieran Campbell strike from 25 yards. On 58 minutes City brought the scores level. A deep free kick from the left found Stephan Langley in the box. Many thought Langley was in an offside position but he didn’t wait for a decision. His toe poke took the ball past Barnett and Jacob Breckon stretched to turn the ball over the line. In the event no whistle blew for offside much to Colliers Wood’s consternation. Buoyed by the goal City played their best football of the match. A Connolly long throw was flicked on but the resulting touch went just wide. Debutant Ricardo Andre then had time in front of goal but he delayed his shot too long. For the visitors Charlie Moore blazed a 30 yard free-kick narrowly over the bar, and with two minutes left on the clock Moore blazed over from close range from an excellent Campbell cross. Then in stoppage time Guildford snatched the winner. A Jamil Saleh corner was headed home by Scott Costello much to the jubilation of the majority of the crowd. Leon Dadey still had time to burst through, but his effort was saved by Barnett, but there was to be no denying City claiming the points.
Team: Craig Smith, Stephan Langley, Shane Cheeseman, Neil Roissetter (Olly Edwardes 35), Oliver Creed, Lloyd Connelly, Ricardo Andre (Harvey Valter 84), Zeid Hannachi (Scott Costello 81), Jacob Breckon, Enow Ojong (Jamil Saleh 81), Dejarhn Grant (Leon Dadey 60).
Referee: Ben Powell
Attendance – 128
