Disappointing Loss for City

Published on: 17 Sep, 2026
Updated on: 17 Sep, 2026

Clanfield (0) 1 Guildford City (0) 0

By Barry Underwood

Guildford were looking to reignite their early season form against Clanfield a side which had only three points from the previous five games, but slipped to a disappointing midweek defeat at Westleigh Park.

Fresh from a 10-day break from football, suffice to say it wasn’t a classic performance with an injection of pace often needed in their passing game.

Nonetheless, there were still good goalscoring opportunities, especially in the first half, that could have put City in a comfortable position.

Josh Williams

In the opening minutes Rory Cornelius shot over from just outside the box, followed later by Josh Williams whose powerful effort was well saved for a corner by Harry Adey in the Clanfield goal.

Guildford were enjoying their best spell of the game and Sandy Perera’s lobbed attempt was headed away from under the crossbar.

Sandy Perera

Harry Hennem then found space on the edge of the box, but his effort was directed straight at the goalkeeper.

Two minutes later the same happened from City’s best chance of the match. Josh Williams had turned well to run in on goal where he unselfishly set up Hennem but
again his effort was too close to Adey.

As the half continued Hennem and Williams both had shots on goal: Williams in particular forcing a good save from Adey at the near post. Late in the half, Clanfield posed more of a threat.

City’s keeper Jacob Slyfield saved well to his left and then on 32 minutes following a long clearance from the goalkeeper Clanfield hit the post from outside the box.

In the final moments of the half Josh Williams himself hit the post, and Sandy Perera saw a looping header land on top of the goal net.

Clanfield were determined opposition who didn’t make life easy for the visitors. Indeed, on the counterattack they certainly threatened.

On 57 minutes they came close to opening the scoring when a prolonged period of pinball in the six-yard box saw City’s defence miraculously keep the ball out of the net. A Clanfield free kick then went just wide.

Guildford started to come alive offensively. Debutant Jono Boucher jinked into the box but couldn’t get the ball on his favoured foot. On 65 minutes Josh Williams pulled the ball back from the byline and Boucher side footed over the bar.

Clanfield scored what proved to be the winning goal on 76 minutes. City’s defence failed to clear a high bouncing ball and substitute Henry Martin ran through to shoot past Slyfield.

City did have the ball in the net with five minutes to go but the effort was clearly offside.

Harry Brine volleyed Tyreke Martin’s excellent cross over the bar on 88 minutes, whilst in stoppage time both sides saw efforts go just wide.

It was a hard-fought match, but Guildford will be rueing the missed chances in the first half.

Team: Jacob Slyfield, Harry Nicholas, Jake Bellmaine (Jack Wapshott 87), Rory Cornelius (Tyreke Martin 65), Reece Killick, Dan Rolland, Sandhalu Perera (Ronnie Lee 70), Cameron Honarvar (Jono Boucher 45), Josh Williams, Harry Hennem (Harry Brine 87), Keone Pillay.

Referee: Kevin Robinson

Attendance – 90