City Win Away

Published on: 17 Aug, 2023
Updated on: 17 Aug, 2023

Colliers Wood United (1) 1 Guildford City (2) 3

by Barry Underwood

Anybody who inconceivably left the ground after the first 20 minutes would have been very surprised to hear the final result.

Guildford had been under the cosh, and to quote manager Tristan Rees “were all over the place”. City, through Manny Acheampong, had struck the post in the second minute but then went into damage limitation mode.

On five minutes Colliers were awarded a penalty but inexplicably the spot kick was skied with the ball last seen heading for Raynes Park. Two minutes later Colliers saw a close-range volley hit the crossbar, before on 11 minutes the home side eventually took the lead courtesy of a Blake Loyza effort from outside the box.

But, as at Cobham at the weekend, the young City side settled and slowly worked their way back into the match.

Manny Acheampong saw an effort well saved low down before, on 27 minutes, Guildford claimed their equaliser.

A lovely low cross from Darnell McDonald was met first time at the back post by Mike Coppinger who fairly smashed the ball home. For the remainder of the half City went forward impressively. Coppinger’s free-kick was well-saved, while the same player forced Minchin into a diving save from 25 yards.

It was sustained pressure. From a teasing corner Tolu Ajayi-Obe’s header was cleared off the line. But the pressure eventually told with five minutes to the break when Acheampong’s pass found James Glover whose curling effort found the net.

From the restart, Adam Longman saved well with his legs as Colliers sought a way back. But although not as extravagant in their play in the second-half City still dominated the game.

Guildford were working hard without the ball, and Owen Tanner and Kai Beck were the first reinforcements to appear off of the bench. Another excellent cross from McDonald just eluded Will May, but Acheampong connected only to hit the prostrate Kai Beck on the floor.

City’s third came with four minutes of normal time remaining. Owen Tanner found Coppinger in the box, the Guildford midfielder jinked past several defenders and shot home from 12 yards.

Late in the game George Fox went to the sin-bin and with only 10 men City sat deep. Adam Longman saved well but in the main Guildford saw the game out comfortably.

Team: Adam Longman, Lewis Taylor (George Fox 80), Callum Sullivan, Tolu Ajayi-Obe, James Glover, Louis Lindsay, Manny Acheampong (Ethan Cassie 90), Jack Knight (Owen Tanner 61), Will May (Kai Beck 57), Mike Coppinger (Jack Cleevely 87), Darnell McDonald.

Referee: Gulam Damji

Attendance – 78