Disappointment for City As They Lose To A Stoppage Time Penalty

Published on: 14 Aug, 2014
Updated on: 14 Aug, 2014

Anthony Baker City’s 3rd goal

Guildford City (2) 3 – (1) 4 Spelthorne Sports

By Barry Underwood

Spelthorne Sports returned to the top of the Premier division, courtesy of a dramatic Lee Staples winning goal from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time. 

Dramatic it certainly was, as City had pulled themselves out from the mire in the 90th minute, when Anthony Baker’s header had seemingly rescued a deserved point.

The City side showed four changes to that that faced Farnham on the previous Saturday. Both of the Guilford brothers were suffering injury, whilst Liam Harwood and Tom Penson were absent on work duties.

Starting the game with three changes to the defence wasn’t advisable against one of the division’s early pace setters but in the first half defence certainly wasn’t an issue for the home side.

The City midfield opened the game in dominant fashion and it was no surprise when on 11 minutes Khari Oriogun dispossessed the last line of defence and advancing on goal his chipped effort sailed down the centre of the goal to open the scoring.

Khari Oriogun scores city’s first goal from 30 yards

Guildford pressed forward in impressive fashion and after 18 minutes they netted again. Bruce McPhail’s high ball into the box fell eventually to Oriogun 30 yards from goal, and in a flash his half volley zipped into the corner of the net.

Spelthorne’s best effort in the first period fell to Jake Flatman whose volleyed attempt went just wide, but generally the visitors were struggling to build attacks with numerous attacking runs falling foul of an offside flag.

Then Guildford’s pre half-time weakness struck again.  In the 45th minute Jamie Richards shot just wide, and not heeding the warning in first half stoppage time, Jake Flatman had space to fire low into the corner.

Having pulled themselves back into the game, momentum in the second half was visibly with the visitors.  It was no surprise when on 50 minutes the lightning fast Jamie Richards broke on the left and crossed for Lee Staples to net at the far post.

Eight minutes later and the exercise was repeated; Richards again crossing for Staples this time to net at the near post. City’s young side were stunned and home keeper Antony Hall was twice called into action to make fine saves.

The arrival from the bench of Scott Todd and Tyler Chambers sparked life into the home side. Anthony Baker was desperately unlucky not to score following an exquisite turn in the box but he was not to be denied in the final minute when he rose highest to head home Bruce McPhail’s long throw.

Having equalised at the death, City pushed for a winner. Sadly for City possession was lost deep in Spelthorne’s half and breaking quickly a last ditch “tackle” in the box was adjudged a foul and up stepped Staples to clinch a dramatic win.

Team: Antony Hall, Bruce McPhail, Liam Talbot, Elvis Defreitas, David Unwin, Ben Rayner (Scott Todd 65), Anthony Baker, Jordan Taylor, Sam Spencer (Junior Alade 83), Khari Oriogun, Ed Smith (Tyler Chambers 78). Unused subs: Ryan Wallis, Lamin Bah.

Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil

Referee: Caspar Vick

Attendance – 100

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