REPORT: GUILDFORD CITY 3 CAMBERLEY TOWN 3

Guildford City (3) 3, Camberley Town (1) 3
by Barry Underwood

Guildford left the playing field at the end of the match last evening hugely disappointed after twice giving up a two-goal lead. Indeed, in the first half you could only see one winner with the Camberley defence at sixes and sevens. But for whatever reason City seemed to put their cue on the rack at the break and they came out a different side. The visitors became more influential and assisted by poor defending Camberley claimed a share of the spoils.

Unusually kicking to the Town end in the first half, Guildford took a few minutes to get themselves in order. The first real moment came on eight minutes when Max Oldham ballooned an effort over the crossbar. Equally frustrating Mike Coppinger’s run into the box was pulled back into a central area to find nobody in support. City took the lead on 16 minutes. Nathaniel Mensah crossed low, and Mike Coppinger shot home from six yards at the second attempt. Camberley’s nervous looking defence conceded again after half an hour. Chances to clear were missed and Jordan Adeyemi fired into the corner of the net for his 15^th goal of the season. City were well in control and it was disappointing to concede against the run of play. An attack made good progress on the left and Josh Samuels had the chance to pick his spot. Order was restored a minute later when Max Oldham’s cross was missed by Adeyemi, but Nathaniel Mensah was on hand to power the loose ball into the net. At this point there surely could be just one winner.

Whether City felt the match was won at the halfway point, or whether Camberley’s players were more inspired by their team talk? Whatever the case City’s offensive players seemingly stopped providing options to their colleagues in possession of the ball, and Camberley were allowed to gain an upper hand. The visitors reduced the arrears on 56 minutes when Axel Kodjo – a player of modest height – was allowed plenty of time and space in the box to head home a corner. To compound matters an equaliser came six minutes later. Running at a gaping hole in the midfield, the ball was fed to Ashley Elson who took the ball past Mike McEntegart and slid the ball into the empty net. Guildford looked more dangerous late on. Antonio Simeone’s back post header found nobody in a red and white shirt. Nat Mensah at full stretch put his effort wide, whilst at the death Daryl Coleman blazed over from 15 yards. In the end it was too little too late and once again two valuable points were dropped.

Team: Mike McEntegart, Campbell Scott, Ethan Nelson-Roberts, James Glover, Antonio Simeone, Prince Mbengui, Daryl Coleman, Mike Coppinger (Billy Connor 77), Max Oldham, Jordan Adeyemi, Nathaniel Mensah. Unused subs: Josh Everard, Yannick Monga, Kesna Clarke, Jackson Hogg.

Referee: Sam Gregory

Attendance – 96