City Succumb to Selsey

Published on: 8 Nov, 2026
Updated on: 8 Nov, 2026

Selsey (2) 4 Guildford City (1) 1

By Barry Underwood

Confidence had been high after consecutive wins but try as they might Guildford couldn’t click into gear on the south coast.

That said they didn’t have the rub of the green on several occasions.

It was a lovely autumn day for football, and the playing service at Selsey was first-class. For much of the first period there was little between the sides with half chances at either end.

Selsey shot over the bar early, but it was City who took the lead on 14 minutes. Josh Williams won a 50/50 ball on the edge of the box and from his subsequent cross Luke Mitchell turned the ball in for his ninth goal of the season.

Later Harry Hennem’s fierce cross went through the six-yard box with no touch from either side. The home side equalised on 28 minutes and actually it came as something of a surprise to the visiting supporters who thought Guildford were in control.

It was certainly a surprise to City’s Harry Nicholas as well, who felt strongly that he had been fouled in the process.

Minutes later City won a corner from which Dan Rolland forced Selsey keeper Alfie Lelliot into a fine save.

As the watch wound down to the interval Guildford crucially conceded another goal. A Selsey corner was headed goalward. Jacob Slyfield saved spectacularly but the loose ball was tucked home at the back post.

Sadly, for Guildford conceding a goal just before half-time was matched by conceding just after the interval. This time loose marking in the box allowed the ball to be rifled home.

Guildford had a lot of the ball after the break, but they couldn’t create the openings they desired. Too often passes went astray or players were caught in possession.

On 69 minutes Ronnie Lee did supply a great cross into the box which the keeper palmed away but City players were slow to react.

Two minutes later City had another moment of bad luck. Josh Williams tucked a loose ball into the net when Selsey’s keeper failed to hold a cross. A foul was given on the keeper although his collision had been with a player from his own side.

With 10 minutes remaining Luke Mitchell saw a free kick saved well. Moments later Rory Cornelius’s run into the box ended with the keeper again saving well.

True to form on the day, Selsey scored again with two minutes remaining. One pass opened up the City defence allowing the attacker to get round a defender and shoot past Slyfield.

Team: Jacob Slyfield, Harry Nicholas (Sandhalu Perera 80), Oliver Kimble (Ronnie Lee 55), Rory Cornelius, Mason Drew, Dan Rolland, George Bamgboye (Kiyanu Pillay 55), Keone Pillay (Brooklyn Hyseni 73), Luke Mitchell, Harry Hennem (Cameron Honarvar 73), Josh Williams.

Referee: William Mulvenney

Attendance – 162
Listen to Ian Newson Plested’s post-match interview with City Keeper Jacob Slyfield…