City Can’t Catch a Break

Published on: 10 Nov, 2024
Updated on: 11 Nov, 2024

Guildford City (0) 1, Corinthian Casuals (0) 2

By Barry Underwood

Another decent Guildford playing performance ended with no reward in rather cruel circumstances.

City had finally got on the scoresheet with four minutes remaining to draw level and surely claim a share of the points. But it was not to be when four minutes into stoppage time Corinthian Casuals notched a winner to the jubilation of their large travelling support.

The Casuals had started the match the brighter, but an injury hit Guildford side soon settled playing their customary passing football.

The first chance fell to Casuals whose flicked header from a corner was headed off the line by of all people Manny Acheampong. City did have the ball in the net via Nik Krokhin on 16 minutes but the “goal” was disallowed for a narrow offside.

Manny Acheampong waiting for a corner kick

City were looking impressive and Manny Acheampong on the left saw a shot blocked by Casuals goalkeeper David Wloch. Moments later Reece Robins crossed well from the right but no City forwards were on hand in front of goal.

Tobi Falodi set up Acheampong on the edge of the box but with space tight his effort was blocked. Acheampong turned provider on 35 minutes when he slid a ball through to Reece Robins but Wloch was quickly off his line to claim the ball.

Guildford piled on the pressure leading up to the break. Wloch missed a Reece Robins long throw but City couldn’t force the loose ball home.

Following an excellent build up Alex Redway-Brown fired a first-time ball across the box which gave Jake Brown a shooting chance but his low effort was saved for a corner. Seconds before half-time it was Brown who headed over from a corner.

How had Guildford failed to score and would their profligacy, once again, come back to bite them?

Yes, seemed to be the immediate answer as soon after the restart Casuals took the lead. An overlapping run on the right saw Jonathan Ghose fire low inside the near post courtesy of a significant deflection that took the ball beyond the diving Jacob Terry.

Heads up! But City’s Nik Krokhin could be forgiven for wondering if he’s in a football or wrestling match

Things were made trickier for the home side when Reece Robins was sent to the sin bin. They were made trickier still by Robins actually spending 15 minutes in the bin, rather than the statutory 10, despite there being minimal breaks in play.

Immediately on Robins return Manny Acheampong acrobatically fired toward goal but Wloch saved low down. Into the last 10 minutes Casuals crossed dangerously into the box but the ball was cleared.

On 86 minutes Guildford drew level. A fine Acheampong cross was chested on by Jake Brown who finished with aplomb. Surely, at last, Guildford would gain reward for their performance.

The Casuals had other ideas though. Four minutes into stoppage time a low cross from the right was brilliantly flicked inside the back post by Jerson Dos Santos and City’s hearts were broken.

Team: Jacob Terry, Tobi Falodi, Alex Redway-Brown, Joe Atkin, Nik Krokhin, Luca Le Page, Reece Robins, Malachai Cole (Tobi Shoyoye 78), Freddie Robins (Joshua Fitzgerald-Smith 76), Manny Acheampong, Tywon Gray (Jake Brown 14). Unused sub: Alex Stingelin.

Referee: Dele Sotimirin

Attendance – 148

Listen to Ian Newson Plested’s post-match interview with assistant team manager Bradley Graham here:

Next match…

Guildford City vs

Table from Non League Matters website

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