City Lose Again to Different League Farnham

Published on: 25 Oct, 2023
Updated on: 25 Oct, 2023

Farnham Town (2) 6, Guildford City (0) 0

By Barry Underwood

Wow Farnham Town! I seriously wonder if there has ever been a better side playing in the Combined Counties League.

As daft as it sounds after conceding six goals the Guildford City side didn’t play too badly, and they certainly gave everything they had. But with quality all over the pitch, and on the bench, there was no stopping an excellent Farnham side.

Half of their starting line-up were playing at Step 3 last season, and my goodness it showed. There was controversy surrounding the opening goal, but four of the six were finishes of a high quality.

The first half especially was played at a frantic pace. Farnham passed the ball quickly, but Guildford did look effective on the counter. City did ride their luck at times and on eight minutes the home side hit the post with the ball bouncing back into Mac Chisholm’s arms.

From a free kick outside the box Owen Sims sent his effort over the bar, and on 13 minutes a Kai Beck back heel set Will May free, but his shot was comfortably saved by Nash. Mac Chisholm twice saved well for City, but in response Darnell McDonald shot over the bar.

Hear Ian Plested’s post match interview here…

On the half hour Lewis Flatman hit the post for the home side, and Chisholm again saved well low down.

Five minutes later Ryan Kinnane headed in the opening goal from close range amidst appeals from City players and fans for offside. In the dying moments of the half there was no disputing Farnham’s second goal which was superbly curled into the top corner from 25 yards by Darryl Sanders.

Early in the second period the tall figure of Charlie Postance shot just wide, but City also had a good chance when from Will May’s pass Kai Beck turned the ball just wide.

Guildford enjoyed their best spell of the game around the hour and Kai Beck and Will May both forced Pat Nash into diving saves.

A Postance header forced Chisholm into an acrobatic save but it was a temporary respite because Adam Liddle converted for Farnham on 65 minutes. Two minutes later it was four with a quite splendid volley Liddle from the corner of the box. Guildford were still creating chances.

Manny Acheampong was a lively presence and on 70 minutes he just failed to control the ball with the goal at his mercy.

The score inflated late in the game when a defensive mistake gave Owen Dean a chance to shoot home, followed minutes later by the same player heading home from a corner.

Special mention to the travelling Sweeney who were in fine voice throughout the game supporting their side to the final whistle. The City fans love their sides style of play and recognise the building blocks being put in place for the future with young players to the fore.

Team: Mac Chisholm, Owen Sims (Lewis Taylor 83), Tolu Ajayi-Obe (Alex Andreou 83), Callum Wilson, James Glover, Niall Stillwell (Ben Thompson 77), Kai Beck, Owen Tanner, Will May (Manny Acheampong 68), Finley Warren (Louis Lindsay 77), Darnell McDonald.

Referee: Simon Weston
Attendance – 335