City Defeat Isthmian League’s Westfield in Surrey Senior Cup

Published on: 18 Oct, 2024
Updated on: 18 Oct, 2024

Guildford City (1) 2,

Westfield (1) 1

By Barry Underwood

Guildford City and Westfield derby matches are not that frequent these days with our rivals from Woking playing in the Isthmian League (South Central), a level higher than City. So it was good to see the teams again at the Spectrum to face each other in the Surrey Senior Cup.

After a dry day the heavens opened at kick-off time and much of the match was played in difficult conditions.

Both sides made light of the wet weather and played some good football. On five minutes the lively Manny Acheampong found space on the left but his attempted shot from an acute angle was easily gathered.

Nik Krokhin scorer of City’s first goal.

A minute later and Guildford went ahead. Ben Gambrah played a low free-kick into the box where defender Nik Krokhin took a nice touch before drilling low inside the far post.

Within moments a Tywon Gray effort was tipped round the post. After an initial burst of excitement, the match settled into an even affair with neither side on top.

A minute before the interval Westfield scored an equaliser. What looked a soft collision in the box saw a penalty awarded from which Manolis Gogonas smashed the ball home.

Just prior to the whistle Ben Gambrah had a shooting opportunity that was saved comfortably by Lewis Gallifent.

Westfield looked brighter after the break and enjoyed a period of pressure pushing Guildford back.

Lucas Sinclair found space in the box and his effort was well saved by City keeper Jacob Terry.

Minutes later a loose ball was turned back into the box and Westfield’s Sekou Toure fired wide from a good position.

Guildford were living dangerously and a Malik Shittu cross deceived Jacob Terry. The ball hit the inside of the far post and, fortunately for City, rebounded into Terry’s hands!

Darnell John Peter

On the hour the arrival from the bench of Reece Robins and Darnell Jon-Peter sparked City’s attack. Manny Acheampong missed a half chance delaying too long over a shot.

Westfield’s main threat late on came from a succession of long throws into the box which were ably dealt with.

On 82 minutes Tobi Shoyoye used his strength to create a shooting chance but his low effort went wide. Then, three minutes later City scored what proved to be the winner.

A teasing run on the right by Keoindre Ellis-Vassell finished with a cross that was fired home
by the fast-approaching Darnell Jon-Peter.

So City claimed the cup victory and advance to the second round.

Team: Jacob Terry, Josh Adjei (Darnell Jon-Peter 61), Ben Gambrah, Ben Drake, Nik Krokhin, Joe Atkin (Reece Robins 61), Jake Brown (Alex Stingelin 67), Luca Le Page, Freddie Robins, Manny Acheampong (Tobi Shoyoye 80), Tywon Gray (Keoindre Ellis-Vassell 80).

Referee: Daniel Killick

Attendance – 95

Listen to Ian Newson Plested’s post-match interview with team manager Carl Taylor here: