Guildford City (1) 1, Balham (0) 0
by Barry Underwood
Guildford extended their unbeaten league run to five matches in a tough encounter at the Spectrum.
Balham were the visitors, and such was their confidence and hard work it was hard to fathom just why they are sitting in the relegation positions.
But City certainly hit the ground running, they blazed out of the blocks, and on two minutes missed a great chance to take the lead. Jake Brown passed to Manny Acheampong in acres of space.
Although Guildford’s top-scorer this season, Acheampong is not necessarily known for his clinical finishing and on this occasion the chance went begging when he shot straight at the keeper.
Seconds later City’s Jake Brown was brilliantly tackled as he entered the Balham box and the danger was averted.
As the game settled so the match became more disjointed. Balham’s first effort on goal via a cross-shot over the bar came on 16 minutes.
Balham posed a more serious challenge 10 minutes later when City’s Jacob Terry was forced into a brilliant double save. A long throw into the box led to a snapshot which Terry saved at full stretch on the line; recovering then to block a second effort from the loose ball.
On 33 minutes City missed another golden chance to go ahead. The powerful figure of Qasim Khan was brought down as he entered the box and despite Balham’s vociferous protests the referee awarded a penalty. Sadly the normally reliable Jake Brown clipped the crossbar with his penalty effort which sailed over.
Eventually, five minutes before the interval, City did get on the scoresheet. Jake Brown headed the ball past a last defender on the half-way line and then set off toward goal. Just outside the Balham box it
seemed Brown had been closed down.
But Brown still got a shot away that by accident or design, although not powerful, was perfectly placed and it went between two defenders and past the wrong-footed goalkeeper into the far corner of the goal.
Brown was clearly relieved to vindicate himself from his spot-kick error.
Credit to Balham in the second half for pushing hard in search of an equaliser. Within minutes of the restart Jacob Terry saved well from the lively Piers Oldland.
Shortly after, the ball was played back to Jack Banks who shot over from just outside the box. It was a decisive spell in the game and indecision in the City defence gave Dan David a shooting opportunity.
But City came through this period unscathed and started to look dangerous themselves. Qasim Khan seemed to have turned his defender and run free, but he was adjudged to have been offside. A minute later City won back possession deep in Balham’s half and Khan’s low effort went narrowly wide. In the late stages Balham enjoyed good possession but couldn’t force an opening.
So, three points gained at the final whistle and Guildford have already exceeded their points total at the end of last season.
As well as the win, City fans were able to celebrate the return of the talented Ben Gambrah from injury.
City’s programme notes included the announcement that as well as the outstanding Nik Krokhin’s departure to Isthmian league Hendon, Darnell Jon-Peter has also left the club. City will miss him. Despite his sometimes fiery temperament, he was a class act who had scored nine goals this season.
Team: Jacob Terry, Josh Adjei, Ben Gambrah, Ben Drake, Alex Stingelin, Joe Atkin, Deven Reid-Solanki (Alex Rodway-Brown 83), Jake Brown (Keoindre Ellis-Vassell 83), Qasim Khan, Manny Acheampong, Jaiden Chang-Brown (Luca Le Page 86). Unused subs: Salvatore Federico.
Referee: Robert Alderton
Attendance – 78
Listen to Ian Newson Plested’s post-match interview with team manager Carl Taylor here:
Next match…
AFC Whyteleafe vs Guildford City at 3pm, February 8
Form Guide (based on last six matches)
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Olly Azad
February 3, 2025 at 1:14 am
Very impressed by Guildford City for toughing it out and taking all three points from the game against Balham. Even though City failed to score from a spot-kick, this striking win was a credit to the entire team.
The Sweeney fans are enthusiastic about the prospects of taking on promotion chasing AFC Whyteleafe on Saturday afternoon.
Warmest wishes to GCFC.