City End Their Losing Run with a Battling Away Draw

Published on: 26 Nov, 2023
Updated on: 26 Nov, 2023

Horley Town 0, Guildford City 0

By Barry Underwood

Guildford City deservedly broke their run of defeats with a battling point at the New Defence stadium.

With three new signings in the starting lineup, and two others on the bench, City showed more bite in the middle of the park and defending stoutly they gained only their second clean sheet of the season.

There was little between the sides early on but it was City who attempted the first shot on goal; Anthony Ogbanufe curling a shot over the bar. Minutes later the home side had a golden chance to open the scoring, but Page failed to make contact with an attempted volley.

Ogbanufe looked dangerous early on and a well-timed run saw his attempt from an acute angle saved by Hyde’s legs.

On 18 minutes Anthony Ogbanufe burst through the defence but entering the box he was foiled by a fine covering tackle. Later, as the game approached the half-hour mark Adam Longman twice made good saves to keep the game goalless.

Five minutes before the break Horley did get the ball in the net but the effort was ruled out for offside. Late in the half from a deep free kick Caleb Wright headed the ball back into the danger area where James Glover’s header was well saved by Hyde.

Guildford took the game to their opponents in the opening minutes of the second half. Almost immediately from a corner James Glover’s header rattled the crossbar and was cleared. Minutes
later Caleb Wright’s half-volley was half-saved by Hyde, and the veteran keeper recovered to block Kai Beck’s attempted lob from the loose ball.

Guildford were enjoying a good spell and debutant Mohamed Regragui was put into space by Ogbanufe but his thunderbolt was blocked at full stretch.

On 71 minutes Regragui then saw an effort saved comfortably by Hyde. After a flurry of substitutions, Horley started to dominate the late stages. On 88 minutes a well-hit half volley struck the crossbar and was cleared.

Deep in stoppage time a Horley header landed on top of the crossbar, but a goal now would have been unfair on City who thoroughly deserved a point for their battling performance.

Team: Adam Longman, Lewis Taylor (Jake Heighes 84), Darnell McDonald, Callum Wilson, James Glover, Finley Warren (Conor Stillwell 73), Anthony Ogbanufe (Ben Thompson 90), Niall Stillwell, Kai Beck (Will May 62), Caleb Wright, Mohamed Regragui. Unused sub: Dejarhn Grant.

Referee: Matt Leaning

Listen to Ian Plested’s post-match interview here…