Full Match Report: Penalty Gives City Victory Over Tooting for Second Time in Two Weeks

Published on: 7 Oct, 2024
Updated on: 7 Oct, 2024

Guildford City (1) 2, Tooting & Mitcham United (1) 1

By Barry Underwood

For the second time in two weeks Guildford City overcame Tooting and Mitcham in a tight and hard-fought encounter.

As in the FA Vase match there was only one goal between the teams. But City were impressive throughout, both defensively and in attack, and they deserved to take the three points.

Guildford went ahead in just the second minute. Rueben Duncan played a quickly taken free-kick into Darnell Jon-Peter’s path and the striker did well to shoot inside the near post.

Darnell Jon-Peter scorer of Guildford’s first goal. Photo Chris Pegman

Six minites late Hussein Siklawi shot over the bar for the visitor’s first effort on goal.

Prompted by a lively Manny Acheampong, Guildford looked dangerous on the attack throughout the first period.

The energetic Manny Acheampong leaving another defender in his wake. Photo Chris Pegman

Ben Gambrah saw a shot deflected for a corner following Jon-Peter’s delightful flick. But against the run of play City conceded an equaliser. An ambitious pass deep in City’s half was intercepted and former City player Max Oldham ran through to shoot low past Jacob Terry.

The game opened up mid-half. Darnell Jon-Peter saw a shot tipped round the post on 24 minutes, whilst a minute later a second Tooting goal seemed inevitable and was only prevented by stalwart defending and Jacob Terry twice saving brilliantly from very close range.

A further minute on and Reece Robins set up Manny Acheampong but his shot was tipped round by Toby McKimm.

Reece Robins whose penalty secured victory for Guildford. Photo Chris Pegman

In the half’s final moments Darnell pulled a cross back across the box but Acheampong’s shot was blocked.

The second period started with Tooting seeing more of the ball. There was though stalemate for the third quarter of the game with few chances at either end.

Gradually City started to pose a threat, and after a free-kick they scored what proved to be the winner on 70 minutes. Nik Krokhin played a low ball back into the box where Reece Robins was fouled in the act of shooting.

Up stepped Robins himself to net the resulting penalty. Manny Acheampong was still a bundle of energy for Guildford. His block in the Tooting box nearly rebounded into the goal, whilst his cross on 82 minutes was
headed wide by the stretching Reece Robins.

Tooting had a golden headed chance in the 90th minute, but Jacob Terry again saved well. Another header from a corner then went wide.

In stoppage time, with Guldford fans urging the refereee to blow full-time, City could have made things certain when substitute Keoindre Ellis-Vassell ran into the box but his effort blazed high over the bar. But with an excellent all-round performance City held out to claim the points.

Special mentionshould go to defenders Nik Krokhin and Tobi Falodi who were outstanding.

Team: Jacob Terry, Tobi Falodi, Ben Gambrah, Jake Brown (Keoindre Ellis-Vassell 61), Nik Krokhin, Alex Stingelin, Reece Robins (Tobi Shoyoye 86), Malachai Cole (Luca Le Page 90), Reuben Duncan, Manny Acheampong (Freddie Robins 86), Darnell Jon-Peter (Joe Atkins 86).

Referee: Tom Murray

Attendance – 137

Listen to Ian Newson Plested’s post-match interviews with team manager Carl Taylor and City player Malachai Cole here: