City Win at Last With Three Penalties in Cup Tie

Published on: 27 Nov, 2024
Updated on: 27 Nov, 2024

Virginia Water (1) 1, Guildford City (1) 4

Southern Combination Cup

By Barry Underwood

Bemoaning Guildford City’s bad fortune has become almost a hobby for this correspondent.

But last night at Slough’s Arbour Park, City played some impressive passing football in direct contrast to Virginia Water’s more direct style and achieved a well-deserved victory.

In the many hundreds of games witnessed over many years I have never seen my team awarded three penalty kicks. But it happened last evening.

The home side, who play at the same level as City but in the Combined Counties League Premier Division North, felt aggrieved but in the cold light of day there is no arguing with the decisions. Anywhere else on the pitch the incidents were fouls and there shouldn’t be a higher bar for fouls in the penalty area.

This Southern Combination Cup match opened brightly for Guildford with new signing Deven Reid-Solanki looking distinctly dangerous down the right flank.

It was Virginia Water though who took the lead against the run of play. It seemed a high bouncing ball had been dealt with on the edge of the City box but somehow the ball fell to Guy Davies who smashed it into the back of the net.

Guildford dominated possession but the home side did pose problems on the break and on 24 minutes a lo cross was turned just wide by Davies. Shortly after a lively Darnell Jon-Peter saw a 25-yard effort parried low down by Matt Jones.

Freddie Robins follow-up effort was then saved before Reid-Solanki’s attempt dragged wide.

On 36 minutes Reece Robins entered the fray from the bench replacing Josh Fitzgerald-Smith who was the victim of a poor challenge from behind as he galloped away down the touchline. As the game entered first half stoppage time City won their first penalty of the evening.

Darnell Jon Peter

Darnell Jon-Peter had possession with his back to goal. The referee was well positioned, and he decided the heavy attention Jon-Peter was receiving exceeded the acceptable.

Up stepped Jon-Peter who stroked the ball home from the spot and it was level at the break.

The home side had an early half chance after the break but a heavy touch in the box saw the opening close down.

On the hour City’s debutant keeper Tarek Najia raced out to clear a ball over the top. The ball fell to a Virginia Water player who attempted a first time, long-range effort on goal. But Najia was able to get back and palm the ball away from under the crossbar.

Virginia Water then had a good spell, and they saw a low cross evade City’s defenders, and an early effort cleared the crossbar.

Tarek Najia then did well to save spectacularly a cross cum shot that was heading for the top corner. Despite this Guildford still enjoyed good possession and Ben Drake saw a low shot deflected for a corner.

On 74 minutes a clear handball gave City a second penalty. This time, Reece Robins stepped up to convert.

Three minutes later Guildford made it 3-1 from a third penalty. Manny Acheampong was clattered heavily in the air and the referee had no doubt about his decision.

Jake Brown

City were sharing the spoils and Jake Brown stepped up to convert the spot-kick.

The seal the victory as the game went into stoppage time City scored a fourth. Reece Robins ghosted past a defender before shooting into the corner from 25 yards.

Team: Tarek Najia, Alex Stingelin (Alex Rodway-Brown 65), Ben Gambrah, Ben Drake, Nik Krokhin, Joe Atkin, Deven Reid-Solanki (Jake Brown 75), Malachai Cole (Manny Acheampong 65), Freddie Robins, Darnell Jon-Peter (Keoindre Ellis-Vassell 85), Joshua Fitzgerald-Smith (Reece Robins 36).

Referee: Darryl Ann

Attendance – 32

Next match…

Guildford City vs Cobham 3pm Saturday, November 30 at Spectrum