City Succumbs to Penalty Equaliser in the Eleventh Minute of Stoppage Time

Published on: 4 Aug, 2025
Updated on: 6 Aug, 2025

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

By Barry Underwood

Guildford City’s aspirations in the FA Cup took a knock when in the eleventh minute of stoppage time the visitor’s scored an equaliser from the penalty spot.

Throughout the match there had been little between the sides, although City had shaded the chances on goal.

The first chance saw Darnell Jon-Peter pull a ball back from the by-line and Sam Harper’s backheeled effort was comfortably saved. Minutes later Jon-Peter fired in a 25-yarder that whistled just after the bar.

It was nearly half an hour before SCR seriously threatened, and on the occasion Marvin Wood comfortably saved.

City’s goal-scorer Darnell Jon-Peter playing for City last season.

Daniel Emmanuel looked lively and on the half hour he was fouled on the edge of the box, leading to Kai Zini’s free kick being saved at the near post. With the interval fast approaching Darnell Jon-Peter jinked past a defender wide out before cutting in and firing powerfully home from 10 yards.

The same player almost repeated the goal from the other side of the pitch, before with the last kick of the half hitting the crossbar from 22 yards.

Kai Zini had two early shooting chances when the half commenced but neither troubled the visiting goalkeeper. SCR had a strong moment when a City defender sliced a clearance into the danger area but strong defending by the central defensive pairing of Joe Atkin and Ben Matthews averted the danger.

With the minutes ticking down it looked as though Guildford would see the game out. The returning Manny Acheampong, who, despite reports of his departure, fans will be pleased to see is still with City, and the excellent Frank Boamah fired in shots that were saved without incident.

Ben Matthews was outstanding at the back for Guildford. Gemma Jarman

SCR nearly equalised on 84 minutes when Jordan Ikala turned neatly in the box, but the ball ran away from him and Marvin Wood calmly gathered the ball. So, into stoppage time the match went.

For the spectators there is no indication how long this will be for which can’t be right. Six minutes in Malachai Cole shot just over for SCR. Eight minutes in Manny Acheampong broke away but couldn’t get his shot away.

A further minute on Deven Reid-Solanki’s shot was saved. Then 10 minutes in an SCR player went down in the box. The referee gave himself thinking time but then pointed to the spot.

To his credit Oluseye Okunlola withstood incredible pressure to fire home an equaliser, and the game goes to a replay.

Team: Marvin Wood, Josh Adjei, Tobi Falodi, Frank Boamah, Ben Matthews, Joe Atkin, Jaiden Chang-Brown (Maddox Holloway 86), Daniel Emmanuel (Manny Acheampong 66), Sam Harper, Kai Zini (Deven Reid-Solanki 75), Darnell Jon-Peter (Jake Brown 86). Unused subs: Ogaga Edward, Alex Stingelin, Bill Wilson.

Referee: Ethan Stacey

Attendance – 98

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