Guildford City (0) 2, Tadley Calleva (3) 4
by Barry Underwood
Guildford City were made to pay for a slow start and within five minutes they found themselves two goals down. A third goal on 19 minutes saw City punished for failure to clear their lines, and the home side were looking down the barrels of an embarrassing defeat. Tadley to their credit were a powerful side with good experience in key positions. From the off they caught City cold leaving the home side with a mountain to climb. From their first attack ex-Basingstoke striker Ben Wright saw a snapshot well saved low down by Stuart Norman. But it was only temporary relief when Wright stole in a minute later to net when City had failed to clear their lines. With just five minutes on the clock Stuart Norman could only parry a sharp shot and Brett Denham stole in to net from the rebound. But again, City had spurned chances to clear their lines. Guildford’s best chance of the first period saw Enow Ojong force a diving save from Craig Atkinson with flying header. Just as it looked that Guildford had gained a platform the visitors scored a third on 19 minutes. Brody Peart jinked past several player into the box before planting his shot low into the corner. Stuart Norman twice saved well, but Guildford themselves were guilty either of over playing or cheaply conceding possession.
City certainly looked more threatening after the break and within eight minutes they were back in the game. Charlie Samuels shot into a mass of bodies in the box and the ball ricocheted off a defender, past Atkinson, and into the net. Samuels later chested the ball down on the edge of the box but shot wide, whilst Nathaniel Williams – not known for his heading skills – saw a header saved at the back post. Tadley’s long throws into the box were a constant danger and on 75 minutes Stuart Norman saved well from a powerful header. Tadley wrapped the game up with 13 minutes remaining. Again, chances were missed to clear their lines and the ball was firmly planted home from 20 yards. Guildford did pull a goal back two minutes later. A strong run and cross from Stephan Langley saw Billy Murphy net from eight yards with a neat finish. With 10 minutes remaining Tadley’s Craig Atkinson and City’s Charlie Samuels were shown red cards for separate stages of the same incident. Stuart Norman saved well in the final minute, but the match petered out with Tadley claiming a deserved victory.
Team: Stuart Norman, Ashley Hitchinson (Stephan Langley 75), Timmy Taylor, Joe Jarrett (Nathaniel Williams 66), Oliver Creed, Lloyd Connelly, Leon Dadey (Billy Murphy 55), Olly Edwardes (Michael Leech 75), Enow Ojong, Zeid Hannachi, Charlie Samuel. Unused subs: Neil Roissetter.
Referee: Chris Potter
Attendance – 116
