Fans, Players and Manager Lament City’s Missed Chances

Published on: 14 Oct, 2024
Updated on: 14 Oct, 2024

Knaphill (1) 2, Guildford City (1) 1

By Barry Underwood

Not for the first time this season an impressive Guildford City performance went un-rewarded when they slipped to defeat at Redding Way.

The high-flying hosts were clinical in front of goal converting two of their three chances, whilst City were more profligate failing to benefit from a host of goalscoring opportunities.

From kick-off the visitors were playing enterprising football. Early on Reece Robins cut in from the left and his shot was deflected for a corner.

Reece Robins go past the Ash keeper

On 16 minutes City took the lead. A sublime through ball from Darnell Jon-Peter put Reece Robins through, and the winger rounded the goalkeeper to shoot home. Minutes later the same combination saw Robins head wide as he fell backwards.

Guildford were dominating and the impressive Jon-Peter played an inviting ball across the six-yard box which just eluded Robins.

From an attacking free-kick Nik Krokhin headed the ball back across the box which just eluded the ever-lively Manny Acheampong at the back post.

On 28 minutes Jon-Peter cut in from the right and his thunderbolt of a shot was brilliantly saved by Sam Gray. Within minutes both Acheampong and Jon-Peter had fired shots goalward but still City
couldn’t find a second goal.

As so often happens it was Knaphill who scored after surviving a significant period of pressure. City coughed up possession cheaply in the middle of the park on 36 minutes, and Knaphill’s Ben Mitchell shot low into the corner despite pressure from City defenders.

Guildford reacted positively. Again Darnell Jon-Peter played a through ball and Manny Acheampong raced through. In a match defining moment Acheampong’s shot, as Gray came out to him, rolled just wide of the post.

In the final moments of the half Jacob Terry had to save well from Ben Mitchell’s powerful shot on the turn.

Knaphill were an improved side after the break but it was still Guildford who were creating chances in front of goal.

Within minutes of the restart Manny Acheampong turned in the box and shot over the bar and only minutes later from a Reece Robins’ cross Acheampong’s low shot was saved for a corner. Then Darnell Jon-Peter’s shot from 25 yards was saved low down by Gray but Guildford just couldn’t find the net.

City defender Ben Drake heads clear

Defensively Guildford looked sound and it looked as if it would take something special to break through the City rearguard. But that moment came on 77 minutes.

City’s defence cleared a corner, and the ball spiralled high into the air and wide of the goal. Knaphill’s George Frith manoeuvred under the ball and fired home a brilliant volley that seemed to surprise City’s goalkeeper who couldn’t get a strong enough hand on the ball. It was a tremendous goal to give the home side the lead.

Guildford then became more desperate in their search for an equaliser. Yomi Obafemi headed a Leevi Bassett cross wide and late on Darnell Jon-Peter set up Bassett but his effort from the edge of the box went wide.

It was a hugely frustrating afternoon for Guildford and not for the first time this season. City have played highly attractive football and are a match for most sides.

A little more luck in front of goal wouldn’t go amiss.

Team: Jacob Terry, Tobi Falodi, Ben Gambrah, Ben Drake, Nik Krokin, Alex Stingelin, Reece Robins (Yomi Obafemi 83), Malachai Cole, Freddie Robins (Keoindre Ellis-Vassell 74), Manny Acheampong (Leevi Bassett 83), Darnell Jon-Peter. Unused subs: Luca Le Page, Tywon Gray.

Referee: Ian Lane

Attendance – 112

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