City Earn Themselves a Three Point Christmas Present

Published on: 22 Dec, 2024
Updated on: 22 Dec, 2024

Tooting & Mitcham United (1) 1 Guildford City (1) 2

By Barry Underwood

Guildford City go into Christmas with a fully deserved three points after a strong performance at Tooting’s ground, Jubilee Fields.

The in-form home side had started well and at times Guildford looked stretched at the back. So it was no surprise when after eight minutes Tooting took the lead. Alex Cruikshank skipped in from the left rather too easily and fired a low shot inside the near post.

But Carl Taylor and coach Cornelius Nwadialor (late of the Tooting parish) made a tactical adjustment and slowly City came into the game, especially on the counterattack.

A Tooting & Mitcham throw-in at Jubilee Fields. Photo Jon Woozley

On 16 minutes Darnell Jon-Peter won possession in the centre of the park and following an exchange of passes with Manny Acheampong he fired a shot just wide. City wingback Isaac Collins who is back from university for Christmas, had a stormer of a game on the left both winning possession and breaking forward.

Deven Reid-Solanki saw a shot from 20 yards clear the bar, and shortly after Reece Robins curled an effort just wide following Jon-Peter’s strong run.

On 35 minutes City had a goal disallowed for a narrow offside. Reece Robins played a low cross into the danger area which was converted by Reid-Solanki only to see the linesman’s flag raised.

Reid Solanki ‘scoring’ City’s disallowed goal. Photo Jon Woozley

A minute later the same two players combined from the other side of the pitch and this time the goal stood. Reid-Solanki made good ground down the left and his cross whipped in was converted by Reece Robins.

In the final minutes of the half, midfielder Jaiden Chang-Brown limped out of the action to be replaced by ex-Tooting player Micah Fraser.

Guildford dominated much of the second period, and it was only in the closing minutes that Tooting mounted significant pressure. In the halves opening minute Deven Reid-Solanki ran into the box and saw his shot go across the face of the goal. Two minutes later following a corner Nik Krokhin hooked a shot goalward that struck the foot of the post.

On 54 minutes Redi-Solanki shot inches over the bar from the edge of the box.

Tooting won a free kick deep in City’s half but their cross into the box evaded everybody and went out for a goal kick.

Guildford had the benefit of a strong wind at their backs in the second half. Reece Robins’ cross caught the wind and Tooting keeper Toby McKimm had to react well to prevent the ball dipping in under the crossbar.

The visitor’s pressure finally told on 77 minutes. Manny Acheampong’s effort was parried by McKimm. Reid-Solanki, following up, headed the ball towards goal and eventually it was Sam Sesay who bundled the ball over the line.

Guildford then looked in control until the late stages when Tooting pushed forward in desperation.

In stoppage time a low cross was zipped into the City six-yard box but a superb block by the stretching Isaac Collins saw the ball cleared, and City holding on to win the game.

Team: Monty Conway, Sam Sesay, Isaac Collins, Ben Drake, Nik Krokhin, Joe Atkin, Reece Robins, Jaiden Chang-Brown (Micah Fraser 42), Deven Reid-Solanki (Dominik Vakulya 89), Manny Acheampong (Joshua Adjei 89), Darnell Jon-Peter (Alex Rodway-Brown 90). Unused sub: Alex Stingelin.

Referee: Steve Hart

Attendance – 138

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