Guildford City (2) 3, Colliers Wood United (0) 0
by Barry Underwood
With a workmanlike performance, Guildford City won their first league encounter for nearly two months. It hasn’t all been doom and gloom with City often playing well during that period, but crucially not seeing other teams off at crucial moments. But this time the three points were gained and hopefully the team can move forward in a positive fashion. City opened the game brightly and early on Caleb Wright’s long shot forced Colliers Wood keeper Toby McKimm to save low down. On six minutes City went ahead. From a corner James Glover headed down into the danger area where Callum Wilson netted from close range. But much of the first period saw the visitors edging the possession stats, although their efforts on goal were restricted to long range attempts. Guildford scored a nerve reducing second goal on the cusp of half-time. Mohamed Regragui chased a through ball forward into the left side of the box. It seemed the defence had covered his run, but twisting and turning he found space to shoot, and his attempt flew into the net.
Minutes after the restart 16-year-old Ben Thompson ran into space before sliding a pass to Regragui whose shot under pressure was saved by McKimm. Colliers Wood’s best chance of the game came from a low cross which was turned wide in the box. Anthony Ogbanufe came more into the game on the left tormenting defenders with his mazy runs. On 59 minutes from such a run the ball was laid back to Darnell McDonald whose attempt to find the top corner cleared the crossbar. City looked the far likelier to score and on 70 minutes they scored a third. From one of a number of corners Anthony Ogbanufe glanced a header into the net. Late on the visitor’s saw a shot go just wide from the edge of the box but this was City’s night.
Team: Adam Longman, Owen Sims (Lewis Taylor 85), Darnell McDonald, Callum Wilson, James Glover, Niall Stillwell, Ben Thompson (Jake Heighes 86), Conor Stillwell (Callum Sullivan 90), Mohamed Regragui (Will May 72), Caleb Wright, Anthony Ogbanufe (Kai Beck 78).
Referee: Scott Crowhurst
Attendance – 74