City Out of FA Cup After Replay

Published on: 6 Aug, 2025
Updated on: 6 Aug, 2025

Sutton Common Rovers (1) 1, Guildford City (0) 0

By Barry Underwood

In another tight match it was Sutton Common who triumphed and went forward into the next
round of the FA Cup.

After 193 minutes of football there was so little between the sides you could not have passed a cigarette paper between them.

It had seemed in the original tie that Guildford were heading for victory until an equaliser from the penalty spot deep into the deepest of stoppage time.

Gathering again two days later at Colston Avenue battle was rejoined. Again, there was little between the sides, and in the early stages play was scrappy and midfield based.

On six minutes though City did have what proved to be their best chance of the game. Following a free kick Ben Matthews did well on the byline to keep the ball in play and when the ball was played across the six-yard box Kai Zini’s first time effort was deflected inches wide for a corner.

Darnell Jon-Peter lurks near Sutton’s goal as the referee appears to practise his Scottish dancing.

Both sides now looked to go forward but both defences were well marshalled. Manny Acheampong managed a tame shot that was comfortably saved, and Sam Harper battled through a group of defenders to be thwarted at the last.

The only goal of the game fell to SCR on 36 minutes. Former City midfielder Malachai Cole threaded a ball inside the defence and Jordan Ikala was able to slide the ball past the advancing Mervyn Wood.

A minute later City unfortunately lost the services of influential midfielder Kai Zini following a strong challenge.

In the minutes leading up to the interval City did push forward. Following a free-kick it appeared there was a handball in the box but the referee thought otherwise. Sam Harper shot from an angle but SCR keeper Emmanuel Olajide saved comfortably.

A minute before the half-time whistle City came desperately close to an equaliser. Tobi Falodi’s perfectly flighted free kick drifted through the box where Frank Boamah was inches away from making contact. The ball anyway threatened to go in at the back box and Olajide scrambled across and saved well at the expense of a corner.

The second half was a strange affair. Guildford dominated significantly with possession football, but SCR’s defending was first class, and the visitors were unable to forge clear chances on goal.

Early on a powerful Darnell Jon-Peter shot from an angle was saved by Olajide. SCR’s best opportunity of the half saw Marvin Wood save well when a player was left unmarked.

Ben Matthews

On 70 minutes City went down to 10 players when Ben Matthews received a second yellow card. Still though they went forward looking for an equaliser. A loose ball fell to Jake Brown some 30 yards from goal and caught in the moment his early effort ballooned over the bar.

On 77 minutes Jake Brown got free but was adjudged to be offside. As the minutes ticked down Sam Harper did well to take a high ball on his chest and twist and shoot but his effort went wide.

As the game went into stoppage Guildford had chances to cross into the box but on the day the delivery wasn’t good enough. So, for the third year in succession City sadly exit the FA Cup at the first stage.

Team: Marvin Wood, Josh Adjei, Tobi Falodi, Frank Boamah (Jake Brown 60), Ben Matthews, Joe Atkin, Darnell Jon-Peter (Keoindre Ellis-Vassell 76), Manny Acheampong, Sam Harper, Kai Zini (Maddox Holloway 37), Jaiden Chang-Brown (Robbie Mundow 75). Unused subs: Freddie Robins, Ogaga Edward, Bill Wilson.

Referee: Ben Frape

Attendance – 158

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