City Lose Out in Scrappy Game

Published on: 16 Dec, 2024
Updated on: 16 Dec, 2024

Horley Town (1) 2, Guildford City (0) 1

By Barry Underwood

It was after the Lord Mayor’s Show at the New Defence on Saturday.

Try as they might Guildford couldn’t match the levels of their midweek win at Corinthian Casuals. Despite that, there was little between the sides, but the match was a scrappy affair and not one for the purists.

City had the worst possible start when they went behind from a second-minute corner. The high ball came into the box and Jacob Terry could only palm the ball down in the box after losing its flight in the sun and Ben Senior tapped in from close range.

Despite a lack of fluency, the visitors did cause problems in the Horley box. Darnell Jon-Peter cut in from the right, but his powerful shot was blocked for a corner.

From the resulting set piece Nik Krokhin rose highest but his header went over the bar. On 20 minutes Jon-Peter shot wide followed shortly after by Manny Acheampong’s shot on the turn also going wide.

Horley’s main threat came from the goalscorer Ben Senior on the right flank. In general, though City’s defence looked composed.

Deven Reid-Solanki curled a free-kick just wide and on 36 minutes a Manny Acheampong snapshot was shovelled wide by the veteran keeper George Hyde. The last chance of the half fell to Horley who saw a header clear the crossbar.

Jake Brown scorer of City’s consolation goal.

For much of the second period, it was Guildford who looked more likely to score. It was still scrappy with passes often going astray but there were good moments.

Darnell Jon-Peter curled a free-kick from just outside the box over the bar. Moments later Acheampong’s low cross was met by Jon-Peter but his first-time effort went over the bar.

On 53 minutes Deven Reid-Solanki pulled a ball back from the byline, but Freddie Robins’ shot was blocked.

Guildford were becoming anxious as the game reached its latter stages. Micah Fraser crossed into the box, but a frustrated Jon-Peter couldn’t find space to turn amidst the bodies.

With 10 minutes remaining City had a golden chance to get back on level terms. A deep free-kick into the box bounced over the defence to be met by Nik Krokhin who sadly headed the ball straight at the goalkeeper.

On 84 minutes Horley scored their decisive second goal. City were caught short at the back and from a break, former City player Cameron Gyeabour smashed the ball past Jacob Terry.

But City still pushed forward. Substitute Dominik Vakulya drove past several players, but his effort was saved by Hyde. Then, in the sixth minute of stoppage time Jake Brown headed home following a long throw. Unfortunately, it was too little too late.

Team: Jacob Terry, Alex Rodway-Brown (Jake Brown 81), Sam Sesay, Jaiden Chang- Brown, Nik Krokhin, Alex Stingelin, Deven Reid-Solanki (Isaac Collins 66), Freddie Robins (Micah Fraser 72). Luca Le Page (Reece Robins 72), Manny Acheampong (Dominik Vakulya 81), Darnell Jon-Peter.

Referee: Oliver Hind

Attendance – 189

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