City Snatch Extra-Time Winner Away to Fleet

Published on: 30 Mar, 2025
Updated on: 30 Mar, 2025

Fleet Town (0) 0 Guildford City (0) 1

By Barry Underwood

It had seemed the match might finish goalless, but it was Guildford City who grabbed a last-minute winner to depart Calthorpe Park with the three points.

City started the match slowly and but for two smart saves from Olly Davies the promotion-chasing home side would have taken the lead.

Early doors City resorted to firing long balls forward which were comfortably mopped up by Fleet’s towering defence. But a tactical switch gave City more width and suddenly they started to pose a threat in their own right.

Ben Drake challenging for possession. Chris Pegman

On 21 minutes Jake Brown lobbed the advancing goalkeeper at the edge of the box, but his effort was intercepted before it reached the goal. Minutes later a fine Jon-Peter pass saw Brown in space in the box, but Fleet’s keeper Finlay Purcell blocked his effort well.

Jake Brown shoots but it doesn’t beat Fleet’s keeper. Chris Pegman

Possession was even between the sides, but it was Guildford who were now finding the openings. Just before the half-time break City again came close. Reece Robins free kick into the box was met by Ben Drake whose header went narrowly wide of the back post.

City started the secon-half slowly, and Fleet should seemingly have had a penalty when a forward went down heavily. Referee Maskery however waved play on, and generally during the game he was content for the game to flow despite some heavy challenges.

Almost immediately Reece Robins for City escaped Fleet’s defensive clutches to fire goalward, but again Purcell saved well to keep the score goalless. Six minutes into the half and Fleet’s Matt Surmon missed a golden chance to side foot the home side ahead.

Just after the hour Devon Reid-Solanki arrived off of the bench to add pace to City’s frontline. Oliver
Davies, making just his second appearance for City, made a fantastic save on 67 minutes plucking the ball off the feet of a striker attempting to round him and score.

Late in the game it was City pushing forward. Sam Sesay saw a powerful drive from 25 yards saved low down by Purcell. The lively Reid-Solanki nudged an effort past Purcell, but it trickled just wide.

On 84 minutes Sam Sesay’s header seemed net bound, but it struck the flailing foot of a defender and stayed out. A minute later City “scored” via a header from a corner. The ball appearede to cross the line before being scooped clear by Purcell but neither match official in the locality was confident enough to give the goal.

City fans behind the goal though saw clearly it had crossed the line, and Fleet players post-match thought likewise.

So it remained for City to score a goal that did count.

Deven Reid-Solanki celebrates his goal. Chris Pegman

In the fifth minute of stoppage time Dom Vakulya caused a defender to lose possession. Deven Reid-Solanki took possession and driving into the box he fired home a spectacular effort to win the game.The win takes City one place up the league table and with four matches remaining they have a chance to improve their position further.

Meanwhile for Fleet, in fifth place in the league and seemingly well placed for the play-offs, their poor run of form continues. This was their fourth defeat in a row.

Team: Oliver Davies, Sam Sesay, Ben Gambrah, Ben Drake, Alex Stingelin, Joe Atkin, Darnell Jon-Peter (Dominik Vakulya 88), Jaiden Chang-Brown, Jake Brown (Deven Reid- Solanki 65), Reece Robins (Josh Adjei 88), Freddie Robins (Kai Zini 70). Unused sub: Luca Le Page.

Referee: Ben Maskery

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

Next match…

Guildford City vs Sandhurst 7.30pm Wednesday, April 2 at The Spectrum.

Table from Non League Matters website.

Combined Counties Premier South 1.03.25

GCFC Fixtures 02.03.25

Form Guide (based on last six matches)

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