Guildford City (3) 5, Farnham Town (1) 2
by Barry Underwood
Guildford City got back to winning ways following their frustrating defeat at Jersey on Saturday. Actually, despite this being an impressive City win, it was nevertheless a rather strange game. For much of the first half Guildford looked as if they were suffering a hangover from the weekend’s travelling. Concentration wasn’t at its best and the visitors looked the livelier of the two sides for the opening half-hour. Against the run of play however City took the lead on 22 minutes. The goal certainly had an air of good fortune about it, but full credit to Jordan Adeyemi for chasing down at best a 50:50 opportunity. Farnham keeper Jordi Wilson rushed to fly-hack the ball clear, but he only succeeded in cannoning the ball into Adeyemi and the ball looped up and dropped into the net. It was in truth no surprise when Farnham equalised seven minutes later. A chance to clear was missed and former City player Josh Ogunseye drilled the ball past McEntegart from the edge of the box. As the game moved toward half-time City shook off their early lethargy and started to look dangerous in attack. A City corner into the heart of the box wasn’t cleared, and Nat Mensah’s shot from close range was blocked by Wilson. Farnham still posed a threat and Mike McEntegart made a fine diving save on 35 minutes to keep the scores level. With six minutes remaining until the break Guildford took the lead. A strong Max Oldham run on the right gave him the opportunity to cross low into the box where Jordan Adeyemi timed his run to perfection to turn the ball home. To really turn the screw City scored again on 42 minutes. An excellent Coppinger free kick was headed against the post by Bertie Lloyd, and Nat Mensah was on hand to fire the rebound home.
The second half opened with action at both ends. An attacking run and cross from Ethan Nelson-Roberts caused excitement, whilst for Farnham Mike McEntegart had to twice be alert to attacking players getting behind the City defence. For a 20-minute spell Guildford dominated and the visitor’s looked decidedly wobbly. Adeyemi pulled a cross back across the box where Mike Coppinger’s attempt to pick his spot came to nothing. Moments later Mensah and Adeyemi almost fell over each other trying to get a shot in. Mensah won the friendly battle but blazed his effort just over the bar. On the hour Guildford scored their fourth. The Farnham keeper unfortunately slipped as he took a goal-kick. The ball went straight to Jordan Adeyemi who advanced on goal before shooting low into the net. Three minutes later and it was 5-1. A delightful Max Oldham through ball put Jordan Adeyemi into space where he guided the ball beyond Wilson into the net for his fourth of the evening. Shortly after City earned a penalty for a foul in the box. Up stepped Max Oldham but Jordi Wilson who had had a mixed evening made a first-class diving save. Thereafter, and to Tristan Ree’s chagrin, Guildford took their foot off the pedal. The remainder of the game saw Farnham enjoying good possession, several times threatening the home goal, and Kyle Henry did lash home a second on 83 minutes. But it wasn’t enough, and Guildford move on to their FA Vase match on Saturday.
Team: Mike McEntegart, Kyrell Palmer (Campbell Scott 78), Ethan Nelson-Roberts, Bertie Lloyd, Antonio Simeone, Prince Mbengui, Max Oldham, Yannick Monga, Nathaniel Mensah, Jordan Adeyemi (Omar Folkes 78), Mike Coppinger (Josh Everard 63). Unused subs: James Glover, Chris Adams.
Referee: Declan Wyatt
Attendance – 184
No rest for the wicked! This weekend it’s the FA VASE! We take on Flackwell Heath in the Second Round Proper! Come and support Tristan Rees’s Sweeney!
This season we have announced our FOOTBALL FOR A FIVER scheme. Come and watch the Sweeney at the Spectrum for only £5!
