City Lose Despite Second Half Come Back Against Impressive Cobham

Published on: 27 Aug, 2025
Updated on: 27 Aug, 2025

Cobham (3) 5 – Guildford City (0) 2

By Barry Underwood

A much-fancied Cobham side came ferociously out of the blocks at the Leg o’ Mutton Field against an out of sorts Guildford side who found themselves three goals down within 27 minutes.

Cobham were hugely impressive and were helped by City’s organisational uncertainty. But a raft of first-half substitutes gave stability, and for a 20-minute spell in the second period there seemed a genuine chance that City would get something from the game.

Sweeney were fans close to the action at Cobham’s Leg o’ Mutton ground. Ben Darnton

In an early goalmouth scramble City twice blocked the ball on the line, and 18-year-old keeper Marvin Wood saved brilliantly. But the floodgates opened on 13 minutes when Derek Hayford found himself in space to tuck the ball home.

Just minutes later Elijah Simpson beat the offside trap to fire home. Guildford were on the ropes at this stage and Jaiden Chang- Brown and Marvin Wood both did well to prevent a further score.

On 27 minutes Cobham scored their third goal when Louie Toussaint volleyed home following a corner. Manager Carl Taylor had seen enough and both full backs were replaced on the half hour.

The move provided stability but City’s best efforts on goal were a Sam Harper header and Deven Reid-Solanki shot that both went well wide of the target.

Deven Reid-Solanki on the ball. Chris Pegman

A somewhat deflated City support settled down for the second half. Marvin Wood saved well early on, and then again on 58 minutes but Cobham’s Nic Osbourne was able to tuck the loose ball home from close range.

But then, against the odds, Guildford mounted a spirited recovery, and for 20 minutes they looked likely to score with every attack.

Joe Atkins scoring his first goal for City in 38 games. Chris Pegman

On 60 minutes Charlie Robertson ran impressively forward being feeding Deven Reid-Solanki who drove into the box before firing into the top corner.

Two minutes later, following sustained pressure in the box, Joe Atkin turned the ball home for his first goal for the club in his 38th appearance. The singing Sweeney behind the goal were lifting the side.

Darnell Jon-Peter whose free kick went just wide of the goal. Chris Pegman

One Sweeney member was almost literally lifted off his feet as Darnell Jon-Peter’s free-kick whistled just wide of the post and into the crowd. Manny Acheampong shot just over, and twice Cobham cleared efforts off their own goal line.

On 77 minutes Jon-Peter muscled through on goal, but home keeper Harry Cawdron saved well at the expense of a corner.

Guildford’s fiery response came to an end when Ryan Marklew headed home for the home side’s fifth and the game petered out in the late stages.

Team: Marvin Wood, Josh Adjei (Joe Atkin 30), Tobi Falodi (James Orton 30), Jaiden Chang-Brown, Frank Boamah (Charlie Robertson 43), Keoindre Ellis-Vassell, Deven Reid- Solanki, Jake Brown (Ben Matthews 59), Sam Harper (Darnell Jon-Peter 59), Kai Zini, Manny Achjeampong.

Referee – Rob King

Attendance – 137

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