City Maintain Winning Form

Published on: 30 Dec, 2024
Updated on: 30 Dec, 2024

Guildford City (1) 2, Abbey Rangers (0) 0

By Barry Underwood

Guildford maintained their fine Christmas form with a fully deserved victory over Abbey Rangers. Similar to City’s previous match it was the opposition who dominated early possession.

Playing some patient passing football Abbey looked to go forward, but without posing a real threat to the Guildford goal.

Almost from the start City’s top scorer, Manny Acheampong, burst into the box but he was thwarted by a superb challenge.

On six minutes, after possession was lost too easily on halfway, it took a superb block by the skipper Alex Stingelin to keep the scores level but Abbey were then restricted to two long-range efforts that sailed harmlessly wide.

There was little between the sides at this stage. But gradually, heavy pitch or not, City started to show confidence on the ball.

On the half hour Reece Robins cut in from the right and shot just over the bar. Moments later Ben Drake’s cross was met by Acheampong whose header lacked the power to worry Shay Honey in the Abbey goal.

On 33 minutes Luca Le Page’s pass opened up the defence for Darnell Jon-Peter. Jon-Peter’s first touch took him wide, and his effort was blocked by Honey. Jon-Peter then lifted a close-range free kick over the wall, but also over the bar.

On 38 minutes Guildford scored the goal their pressure deserved. Reece Robins found enough space to drive low across the six-yard box where Deven Reid-Solanki turned the ball in at the back post.

Forward forays from Abbey were restricted during the second half. There was minor alarm when a shot at goal from the byline hit the outside of the post. But City were dominating in the middle of the park with Luca Le Page and Ben Drake increasingly influential.

City keeper Monty Conway did save well at his near post but there was limited threat to the home goal.

Dominik Vakulya

Guildford looked dangerous as they pushed forward with the midfield continually picking up the loose balls. On 88 minutes much to the relief of the home supporters City scored their second.

Ben Drake won a midfield challenge and found Manny Acheampong in a forward position. Acheampong saw Dominik Vakulya in space outside the box and the Hungarian-born striker fired a low effort past the sprawling Honey.

In the game’s final moments Vakulya forced Honey into a fine save, and seconds later the final whistle blew on another three points for a rejuvenated City side.

Team: Monty Conway, Sam Sesay, Isaac Collins, Ben Drake, Alex Stingelin, Joe Atkin, Reece Robins (Dominik Vakulya 69), Luca Le Page (Freddie Robins 90), Deven Reid- Solanki (Qasim Khan 78), Manny Acheampong (Josh Adjei 90), Darnell Jon-Peter (Jake Brown 78).

Referee: Jake Symes

Attendance – 132

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

Next match…

Guildford City vs

Table from Non League Matters website.

Form Guide (based on last six matches)

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