Tooting & Mitcham United (2) 3, Guildford City (1) 1
by Barry Underwood
Once again Guildford City had a poor start to the game which gave the visitor’s an uphill task. But settle they did, and City’s performance was praiseworthy. Indeed, home supporter’s after the match took time out to compliment this author on City’s performance. But in the end, it was frustratingly another defeat. On six minutes the ball fell to Tooting’s excellent Max Oldham on the edge of the box, and he superbly struck a rocket into the corner of the net. Guildford did have an early chance when a free kick into the box found Manny Acheampong in space. Acheampong favoured a volley over a header, but he sadly miscued his attempt. On the quarter hour Max Oldham hit the post after a shot on the turn, but two minutes later they scored again through the laughable award of a penalty. I’ve watched football for 60 years and I truly don’t understand what, and what isn’t a penalty these days. A City defender leapt to head a cross clear. He missed it and from behind an attacker headed it back onto the defender’s flailing arms. Yes, it was an unnatural position, but the defender was facing in the opposite direction and had no clue the ball was heading towards him. Suffice to say the penalty was netted. There were chances at either end. Deven Reid-Solanki curled an effort just wide, whilst Max Oldham’s flying header also went wide for Tooting. On 30 minutes Ben Drake found Manny Acheampong in space in the box, but his right foot effort lacked real power and Toby McKimm saved low down to his right. A minute later City did score, and a good goal it was. Reid-Solanki’s excellent pass found Kai Zini who went past a defender and slotted the ball past McKimm.
For the majority of the second period Guildford were in search of an equaliser. Early on Kai Zini saw a shot saved after cutting in from the left, and twice overlapping runs from the speedy substitute Malachi O’Connor saw threatening crosses into the box. On 64 minutes there were strong shouts from City for handball in the Tooting box by a prostrate defender. But the cries were waved away. As the half neared its end Tooting again threatened. City back-op keeper Bill Wilson spectacurly saved Antonio Simeone’s powerful header. On 74 minutes a Connor Melody corner just cleared the defenders head on the line for what proved to be the match clinching goal. Twice in the final moments Bill Wilson again saved well, but the last word came from City when Kai Zini and Deven Reid-Solanki combined, and the latter’s effort just cleared the crossbar.
Team: Bill Wilson, Tobi Falodi, Jerry Antwi (Malachi O’Connor 46), Jaiden Chang-Brown, Ben Matthews (Azeez Elegushi 71), Alex Stingelin (Maddox Holloway 60), Deven Reid-Solanki, Ben Drake, Manny Acheampong (Keoindre Ellis-Vassell 74), Kai Zini, Luca Le Page (Charlie Robertson 46).
Referee: Jack Healy
Attendance – 145