Title favourites Slough Town were given a surprise by an excellent performance from Guildford City. A superb strike from Tommy Tydeman and a cool finish from Dan Moody put City two goals ahead before the Rebels pulled one back in injury time, leaving City to take all three points.
As kick-off approached the monsoon like rain storm that soaked Holloways Park leading up to the game subsided and the game opened in perfect conditions. The early exchanges were competitive but it was clear that City were playing with an air of confidence. A five man midfield saw Jack Guilford, Tommy Tydeman and Ben Rayner in the centre, harassing their opposition numbers and allowing them little time to settle. Resulting loose balls were being picked up and Guildford increasingly looked impressive on the break with numbers quickly up in support.
Austin Gacheru had a close range parried over the bar after a glorious back-heel from Dan Moody. Slough’s best chance of the first half fell to Sean Sonner on 35 minutes but his low shot across goal was excellently saved at full stretch by Antony Hall. Minutes later everybody connected with Slough felt that they should have had a penalty when Elvis Defreitas made a last ditch tackle. Photographic evidence however seems to show the initial challenge being made just outside the area: a decision though that could have gone either way. Indeed as half-time approached Slough upped the tempo and had their best sustained spell of the game.
City were still playing confident, passing football and increasingly as the second period progressed it was Guildford looking the most likely to score. Then on 58 minutes what will probably already be the goal of the season was scored! Tommy Tydeman advanced towards the edge of a crowded penalty area and unleashed a thumping right foot effort that flew into the top corner from 20 yards. With a goal in the bank City took advantage territorially and within minutes Austin Gacheru was desperately unlucky not to score from two great efforts well saved by the Simon Grant in the home goal.
Then on 77 minutes City scored an all-important second goal. Ben Rayner played the ball forward and Dan Moody expertly took the high ball in his stride to round the Keeper and jubilantly slot home. Austin Gacheru had another effort well saved as the game approached stoppage time. An excellent headed goal for Slough by Ollie Burgess deep in added time caused some biting of finger nails for an extra minute or two, but City would not be denied and at the end the players and the Sweeney celebrated a job well down. Two from two at the start of the season – who would have thought it?
Guildford City
Antony Hall, Elvis Defreitas (Tony Chaplin 67), Ben Rayner, Simon Cooper, Jamie Thoroughgood, Corey Holder, Dan Moody, Jack Guilford (Junior Kaffo 77), Austin Gacheru, Joel Hughes (Dammy Bada 87), Tommy Tydeman.
Unused substitutes: Tommy Rose, Moses Spencer.
Cautioned: Elvis Defeitas, Simon Cooper, Jack Guilford.
