Guildford City (2) 4, Frimley Green (0) 1
by Barry Underwood
City deservedly claimed their first three points of the season against Frimley Green at the Spectrum. After a challenging spell of matches, and the return of several players from injury, City took this game to their opponents. Known more for his defensive play, Jamie Pearce was a revelation leading the line as a number nine and he was to run Charlie Samuel and Stuart Norman close for the man of the match honours. Guildford could have scored in the second minute when Hitchinson headed on Pearce’s long throw for Billy Nutbeam to hook the ball just over the bar. For the visitors the impressive Ross Murdoch and Monty Everett looked lively up front, and after six minutes City hearts were in their mouths when Murdoch burst through to be brought down on the edge of the box by a desperate challenge from Lloyd Connolly. Fortunately for City Connolly escaped with a caution and the free kick on the edge of the box came to nothing. City keeper Stuart Norman was in top form and after making a fine diving save from Sam Hutchings on 12 minutes, he followed it during the half with two terrific reaction saves from Ross Murdoch. Guildford came close in a goalmouth scramble with Leon Dadey’s effort brilliantly blocked. On 16 minutes Guildford took the lead. New signing Timmy Taylor’s pin-point corner was headed home from close range by Lloyd Connolly. Six minutes later Guildford scored a second. A strong run by Charlie Samuel down the left saw his inch perfect cross turned in at the back post by Jamie Pearce.
City maintained their positive approach into the second half. Within minutes Leon Dadey came close and on 52 minutes Guildford scored their third. Another pin-point corner from Timmy Taylor found Ash Hitchinson in the box and his header sailed beyond the goalkeeper and into the corner of the net. Within minutes Frimley reminded everyone that the game wasn’t over when Freddie Jones netted from close range. In response Jamie Pearce unleashed a piledriver that struck the crossbar. Charlie Samuel was a constant menace to the visitors down the left, and on 76 minutes he threaded a ball through to substitute Billy Murphy who with his first touch took the ball round the keeper and slid the ball home for City’s fourth. In the final moments Frimley struck the crossbar but there was no denying that this was Guildford’s day.
Team: Stuart Norman, Ashley Hitchinson, Timmy Taylor, Joe Jarrett (Olly Edwardes 73), Oliver Creed, Lloyd Connolly, Leon Dadey (Stephan Langley 83), Billy Nutbeam, Jamie Pearce (Billy Murphy 75), Zeid Hannachi (Nathaniel Williams 78), Charlie Samuel. Unused sub: Shane Cheeseman.
Referee: Daryl Ann
Attendance – 61
