Guildford City (1) 4, Walton & Hersham (1) 3
by Barry Underwood
Crowds returned to the Spectrum for what proved, after a relatively quiet first period, to be a real humdinger of a second half. And all of this entertainment for just £5 ground entry. Its highly debateable whether Guildford City sides of recent years would come back to win from a two-goal deficit, let alone a two-goal deficit with just 30 minutes remaining. But this new look City side did just that against a Walton & Hersham side that knocked Guildford out of the FA Cup a week earlier, and surely are destined for a concerted promotion attempt. The first half saw both sides sparring with each other with no inkling of the fireworks that were later to follow. Good chances from both sides were few and far between as they looked to create openings. Nathaniel Mensah saw a flicked effort at the near post go wide, whilst Harry Mills saw a long-range effort tipped over the crossbar by Mike McEntegart. Indeed, it was from the game’s first flowing move that Guildford opened the scoring after 19 minutes. Jordan Adeyemi and Max Oldham linked on the left to give Mike Coppinger the chance to shoot across goal and into the far corner. Minutes later Adeyemi had a shooting chance after a free kick that went into the side netting. Walton got back on level terms on 37 minutes when Dominic Ogun swept home a low cross from the right.
City made the worst possible start to the second period failing to take heed of manager Paul Barnes comments at the interval. In the first minute a deep free kick found Dominic Ogun in space, and he had time and space to head home from close range. Six minutes later it was Ogun again who got on the end of a low cross to convert from close range to complete his hattrick. There followed a rocky period for City where the visitors strived to put the game well and truly to bed. The game turned on the hour when Mike McEntegart saved excellently diving to his right. Had that shot entered the net a three-goal deficit might well have been beyond City’s recovery powers. Roberto Ratti arrived off the bench and City sparked moving forward. A minute after McEntergart’s save Jordan Adeyemi reduced the arrears. City’s number nine turned his man on the by-line and cut in towards goal. Not for the first time this season he smashed the ball home at the near post. With 15 minutes remaining it was all level. Roberto Ratti ghosted between two defenders and kept his composure to pick his spot inside the far post. Not content to settle for a point Guildford by now had their tails up. Max Oldham saw a low cross intercepted by the goalkeeper’s legs, and then on 83 minutes Jordan Adeyemi scored a wondrous goal from the edge of the box to win the game.
Team: Michael McEntegart, Sean Basaye, Fred Hill, Briggs Ojemen, Prince Mbengui, Jude Brown (Josh Everard 63), Ryan Richfond, Mike Coppinger (Connor Baston 90), Jordan Adeyemi, Nathaniel Mensah (Roberto Ratti 59), Max Oldham (Ryan Ferrari 90). Unused subs: Luke Roberts.
Referee: Oliver Cross
Attendance – 225
Season tickets for the season are available from just £30. Details and an application form can be found via the following link Season Ticket 2021/22 – Guildford City FC.
This season we have announced our FOOTBALL FOR A FIVER scheme. Come and watch Paul Barnes’s boys at the Spectrum for only £5!
