City Unlucky to Lose to In-form Tadley

Published on: 8 Nov, 2024
Updated on: 8 Nov, 2024

Guildford City (1) 1, Tadley Calleva (1) 2

By Barry Underwood

An in-form Tadley Calleva side left the Spectrum with three points on Wednesday evening. On a gloomy autumn evening there was little between the sides for much of the match despite their different league positions.

But it was Tadley who capitalised on a period of territorial advantage late in the game to score what proved to be the winner.

Guildford played some enterprising football and on 11 minutes they won a free kick just outside the Tadley box. Reece Robins stepped up but his effort was blocked by the wall. Tadley responded when Jacob Terry comfortably saved a volleyed attempt from the edge of the box.

City won another free kick in a dangerous position. This time Reuben Duncan’s effort curled round the wall but lacked the power to worry Craig Atkinson, the visitor’s keeper.

Guildford were creating half-chances. Freddie Robins turned sharply to fire a loose ball over the bar. Minutes later Reece Robins cut in from the right but his effort was underhit.

Manny Acheampong, Guildford’s top scorer, scored again against Tadley.

And it was the home side who took the lead on 33 minutes. The ball was played around the edge of the box before Manny Acheampong saw an opening. He drove into the box before firing powerfully into the top corner from 12 yards.

Minutes later Reece Robins again cut in and his effort was comfortably saved by Atkinson.

Then, just moments before the interval, Tadley claimed an equalising goal. Defender Brad Neal lost his marker at a corner and headed home at the back post.

The visitors looked sharper after the break. Immediately Josh Adjei produced a goal saving tackle as a forward ghosted through the middle.

For City Manny Acheampong continued to look lively and he saw an effort just clear the crossbar. It was end-to-end football.

Jacob Terry saved well, whilst for Guildford Acheampong intercepted a back header. The lively striker laid the ball to City stalwart Ben Gambrah but his effort skewed wide of the goal. It was a golden chance.

Freddie Robins then glanced a header wide, and Acheampong again shot just wide of the post. With 20 minutes remaining an excellent Malachai Cole cross just eluded the fast-approaching Ben Gambrah.

Tadley looked stronger in the late stages. From a corner a header went wide and on 77 minutes they score their second goal. A scintillating run into the box by ex-City captain Scott Costello gave Connor Thorne the chance to tuck home the winner.

In stoppage time Jacob Terry had to make another good save and there was no coming back for the Guildford City side.

Team: Jacob Terry, Joshua Adjei, Ben Gambrah (Tobi Shoyoye 80), Ben Drake (Alex Rodway-Brown 68), Nik Krokhin, Luca le Page (Tywon Gray 78), Reece Robins, Reuben Duncan, Freddie Robins (Malachai Cole 64), Manny Acheampong, Tobi Falodi (Keoindre Ellis-Vassell 75).

Referee: Matt Funnell

Attendance – 83

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