City Go Down 0-4 to Strong Cobham Side

Published on: 2 Dec, 2024
Updated on: 2 Dec, 2024

Guildford City (0) 0, Cobham (4) 4

By Barry Underwood

In August Cobham had beaten Guildford impressively at the Leg o’ Mutton Field, and on Saturday at the Spectrum Cobham repeated the exercise courtesy of a hugely impressive first-half performance.

Three goals up in the first 22 minutes City were shell shocked, but credit to them they still tried to compete. But Cobham’s movement and transition from defence to attack was outstanding and Guildford hasn’t played a better side this season.

Despite that, Guildford had the first real chance on goal. A deep cross from the right found Reece Robins whose early effort blazed over the crossbar. But two minutes later Cobham had taken the lead. The impressive Patrick Murray on the right crossed low and Eli Simpson’s run bamboozled the City defenders to turn the ball in from close range.

On 14 minutes it was 2-0 when Derrick Hayford received the ball at the back of the box, cut in and fired into the corner. Guildford’s efforts on goal were limited to a Freddie Robins effort that cleared the bar, and debutant Deven Reid-Solanki’s shot after a good run which was blocked.

It was three goals for Cobham on 22 minutes. Eli Simpson turned a Guildford defender to find space to shoot past Jacob Terry. Moments later Terry saved well from a close-range header and City were on the ropes.

Luca Le Page had space to go forward late in the half but again the ball cleared the crossbar. Five minutes before the break Cobham keeper Conrad Knight punched clear under pressure and Jake Brown’s effort from the loose ball went just wide.

Then on the stroke of half-time Cobham claimed their fourth from the penalty spot. Up stepped Patrick Murray to convert with ease.

Deven Reid-Solanki impressed supporters with lively display.

City’s Carl Taylor made four changes for the second half and Guildford responded appropriately. Realistically the match had gone but pride demanded a better effort.

Cobham still pushed forward in search of further goals. On the hour, Murray’s cross was headed just over, and immediately from another Murray cross the ball just evaded the lunging Eli Simpson.

But Guildford had chances in the second period too. Deven Reid-Solanki hit the foot of the post after driving the ball in from the wing. It would have been a deserved consolation.

Fellow debutant Micah Fraser could have scored with his first touch for the club. Reece Robins cross was headed back into the danger area where Fraser hit the bouncing ball over the bar.

City keeper Jacob Terry was forced to make a good save on 70 minutes when the ball was given away cheaply, and late on City thought they may have had a penalty when Ben Drake went down heavily in the box trying to convert a Reece Robins cross.

City played some of their best football in the last quarter of the game despite going down to 10 men when Jake Brown was shown a second yellow.

But the impressive Cobham deserved their win and at least City showed spirit in a battling second-half performance.

Team: Jacob Terry, Joshua Adjei (Alex Rodway-Brown 45), Ben Gambrah, Ben Drake, Nik Krokhin (Joe Atkin 45), Luca Le Page (Alex Stingelin 45), Reece Robins, Jake Brown, Freddie Robins (Malachai Cole 45), Manny Acheampong (Micah Fraser 69), Deven Reid- Solanki.

Referee: Jack Healy

Attendance – 108

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