City Gain First Away Win at Thatcham

Published on: 11 Aug, 2025
Updated on: 21 Aug, 2025

Thatcham Town (1) 1 Guildford City (2) 2

By Barry Underwood

Guildford City made their first visit to Waterside Park in 10 years, and for the first time returned home from Berkshire with a win.

Relegated from the Southern League at the end of last season, Thatcham have spent the summer rebuilding both their team and their management committee.

Teams shake hands as part of the pre-match formalities.

But only eight years ago Thatcham triumphed at Wembley in the FA Vase, and they are a club with considerable potential.

The first half was even with chances, but it was the home side who shot over the bar in just the second minute.

It wasn’t long before City had their first chance on goal. Darnell Jon-Peter’s long throw bounced high in the box on the firm surface and Jake Brown’s subsequent header was cleared off the line for a corner. From the resulting set piece there was a prolonged scramble in the box which was eventually cleared.

On 20-minutes Guildford took the lead. Jake Brown played the ball forward to Sam Harper who cut past a defender and slotted the ball past Will Wyatt in the home goal.

See also, pre-season interview: City Manager is Aiming for Promotion

Jon-Peter later provided Harper with another shooting chance, but his effort was blocked at full stretch.

On 38 minutes it seemed City had been awarded a free kick in their half. But after an injury break the referee changed his mind. From Thatcham’s ball into the box Marvin Wood could only parry the ball and Oliver Denner drove the loose ball home for an equaliser.

Three minutes later City regained their lead. Darnell Jon-Peter half-volleyed a cross into the box where Jake Brown headed home. Thatcham’s goalkeeper had collided with the post in attempting to save the header and required lengthy treatment.

Freddie Robins

Both sides introduced substitutes for the second half. The home side replaced their goalkeeper with 16-year-old Hectes Wieczoek, and Freddie Robins entered the fray for City.

Both newcomers were to have excellent second periods. City upped their game by several notches. Jon-Peter’s shot was acrobatically saved, and seconds later Sam Harper fired in a low cross to the near post where Jake Brown’s effort was brilliantly saved low down by Wieczoek.

On 51 minutes Harper played a one two with Jon-Peter and was played through on goal. Unfortunately, Jake Brown in an offside position played at the ball and the chance was lost.

Four minutes later Brown won the ball in midfield and Manny Acheampong set off into space. He delicately played in Sam Harper whose fierce effort was again brilliantly saved by the young keeper.

Thatcham’s Luke Polding showed some good ball skills, and on 68 minutes he powered a dipping shot just over the bar. With 15 minutes remaining Sam Harper again saw an effort saved, and Manny Acheampong’s follow up hit the post.

Late on Marvin Wood twice saved low down in the corner to preserve Guildford’s lead. Despite the customary nerves in stoppage time City survived to claim their first three points of the season.

Team: Marvin Wood, Josh Adjei, Tobi Falodi, Frank Boamah (Azeez Elegushi 69), Ben Matthews, Ben Drake (Jaiden Chang-Brown 63), Darnell Jon-Peter, Jordan Skeene (Freddie Robins 46), Sam Harper, Manny Acheampong (Keoindre Ellis-Vassell 87), Jake Brown (Kai Zini 69).

Referee: Jonathan Marsh

Attendance – 180
Listen to Ian Newson Plested’s post-match interview with team manager Carl Taylor.

Next match is away vs Badshot Lea on Saturday, August 16 at 3pm.

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