City Hang On to Win 1-0 and Secure Three Points

Published on: 14 Sep, 2024
Updated on: 14 Sep, 2024

Guildford City (1) 1, Horley Town (0) 0
By Barry Underwood

Despite another tense finish Guildford City hung on to their single goal advantage to take the three points at the Spectrum.

There was little between the sides throughout, and the visitors will feel aggrieved not to get something from the game. Scoring goals hasn’t been a problem for either side this season, and it is ironic that this game should be settled by a solitary penalty kick.

The first shot on goal came from Horley. Jacob Terry parried a long-range effort and the ball was cleared for a corner.

It was a cagey opening but the league’s top scorer Lewis Perch fired in an effort from the left that was comfortably saved.

On 20 minutes Darnell Jon-Peter went down in the box but rightly no penalty was given. A minute later Jon-Peter’s free-kick from just outside the box was blocked, and Tobi Falodi’s follow-up didn’t worry the goalkeeper.

City’s passing was effective until often the killer ball that didn’t find its target. On 36 minutes Jon-Peter cut in from the right but his powerful effort sailed well wide. The deadlock was broken two minutes before the interval.

A fine move on the left saw Benji Gambrah run powerfully into the box where he was brought down heavily. A penalty was awarded and Jake Brown stepped up to convert with aplomb.

Minutes into the second period Horley’s veteran keeper George Hyde punched clear from a corner
and Joe Atkin saw a first-time effort shot from the loose ball go wide.

Horley soon saw two headers easily saved by Jacob Terry, whilst Darnell Jon-Peter’s effort lacked power and Hyde saved comfortably.

On 55 minutes City escaped when the ball was given away deep and a resulting powerful shot just cleared the crossbar. Two minutes later City responded with a fine move. Manny Acheampong escaped down the right, and his early cross was met first time by Jon-Peter who just cleared the crossbar.

On the hour Horley missed a golden chance. A ball was headed back across the box but Mason Seagroatt hooked the ball over the bar. Darnell Jon-Peter then did net but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Benji Gambrah shot just over after a long throw, and in an almighty scramble in the Horley goalmouth nobody could get the vital touch.

On 73 minutes ex-Sweeney player Cameron Gyeabour blazed wide for Horley, and increasingly City were starting to look anxious.

On 75 minutes Josh Adjei did well to head the ball off the line, and from a free kick on the edge of the box Horley’s Scott Walker shot over the bar.

Guildford’s Ben Drake, playing against his former club, had a great chance on 87 minutes to put the game to bed but his effort slid inches wide of the post. Seven minutes of stoppage time was played during which Horley had a number of corners. A header went over the bar, and Jacob Terry saved well an effort from the edge of the box.

It was City though who came through to claim the three points courtesy of some determined defending in the late stages.

Team: Jacob Terry, Joh Adjei, Tobi Falodi (Alex Rodway-Brown 64), Ben Drake, Alex Stingelin, Joe Atkin (Ruben Correia 84), Jake Brown, Malachai Cole, Darnell Jon-Peter, Manny Acheampong, Benji Gambrah (Kainen Oragbade 80). Unused subs: Tobi Shoyoye, Jerry Frimpong.

Referee: Simon Weston

Attendance – 108

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

Next match…

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