City Impress to Win and Progress to Next Round of the FA Vase

Published on: 22 Sep, 2024
Updated on: 22 Sep, 2024

Guildford City (0) 1, Tooting & Mitcham United (0) 0

By Barry Underwood

Guildford City advanced to the next stage of the Isuzu FA Vase with an impressive performance against esteemed visitors Tooting & Mitcham United.

It was an intriguing match up between two sides who for periods cancelled each other out. City were working hard off the ball and pressing their opponents into errors.

The first chance came on 16 minutes. Alex Rodway-Brown chipped the ball back into the box where Alex Stingelin mistimed his header and the ball glanced just wide.

The visitors’ first attack saw a run into space on the right and a low cross zipped across the box.

Man of the match Nik Krokhin. Solid as a rock in defence.

On 35 minutes Leevi Bassett’s cross into the box from the left was just too high for Malachai Cole.

The first corner of the match didn’t come until the 37th minute which gives an indication of the prompting and probing largely taking place in the centre third.

Just prior to the interval Guildford had some joy down the flanks. Reece Robins cut inside and saw a shot saved by Toby McKimm in the visitor’s goal.

Then from a cross Rodway-Brown flicked a header on and Robins netted but from an offside position.

At half time the 0-0 scoreline did not reflect the level of entertainment for those who appreciated the tactical contest taking place and Guildford City’s improved performance level.

In the second period Guildford were noticeably looking to get the ball into the box from wide positions.

Just two minutes in, Ben Gambrah’s cross was headed over by Leevi Bassett as he fell backward. A minute later a snapshot from Tooting’s Ashley Sheppard nearly caught Jacob Terry unawares, but the City keeper parried the powerful effort and gathered it again via the inside of the post.

On 58 minutes, 12 goals of firepower was added from the bench in the form of Manny Acheampong and Darnell Jon-Peter.

Just after the hour Jon-Peter and Aaron Smith-Joseph for Tooting exchanged long range efforts that cleared the crossbar. Jon-Peter then saw an effort saved at the near post.

The deadlock was finally broken on 75 minutes. From a long ball forward Darnell Jon-Peter skipped past Antonio Simeone’s challenge and bore down on goal. Showing considerable composure, Jon-Peter rounded McKimm and netted with aplomb.

The impressive Nik Krokhin then headed wide at the back post, but going into the lengthy period of stoppage time Tooting threw everything forward with several corners and free kicks fired into the City penalty area.

But Guildford’s much-improved defence held firm and they now advance to the first-round proper.

Team: Jacob Terry, Alex Rodway-Brown (Josh Adjei 58), Ben Gambrah, Ben Drake (Tywon Gray 73), Nik Krokhin, Alex Stingelin, Reece Robins (Yomi Obafemi 73), Malachai Cole, Rueben Duncan, Leevi Bassett (Darnell Jon-Peter 58), Keoindre Ellis-Vassell (Manny Acheampong 58).

Referee: Patrick O’Reilly

Attendance – 78

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