Guildford City Lose Opener to Hanworth

Published on: 7 Aug, 2014
Updated on: 7 Aug, 2014

Hanworth Villa v Guildford City FC – City’s Tom Penson scores
Pic Paul Burgman

Hanworth Villa (1) 3, Guildford City (1) 1

Guildford City, despite an impressive first half, eventually fell to a disappointing defeat at Hanworth’s Rectory Meadows on Saturday (Aug 2).

Defeat was perhaps a reminder, if it was needed, that this is going to be a competitive campaign, as fellow relegated clubs Ashford Town and Chertsey Town know too, having also lost on the opening day.

Much of the first quarter was unadventurous fare with both sides probing to little effect. City’s first real effort on goal didn’t come until the 17th minute when Sam Spencer’s free-kick was comfortably saved. A minute later the impressive Khari Oriogun saw a fine effort spectacularly saved by Buss in the home goal.

The game opened up and the home side came close twice. Firstly Tom Penson cleared brilliantly at full stretch, and then Duane Antonio somehow side footed wide when it was probably easier to score. City still enjoyed much of the possession but they were looking vulnerable to the counter attack.

Then on 36 minutes City took the lead. Following a slow build up down the left Tom Penson was allowed to cut into the box and fire low into the corner. With the large Sweeney following still celebrating the goal, City noticeably upped their game to enjoy their best spell of the match. Khari Oriogun saw an effort whistle inches over the bar and minutes later Scott Todd’s curling effort from 20 yards missed by a similar distance.

Sadly, last year’s habit of conceding goals right on the half-time interval came to the fore. A Hanworth corner was punched clear by stand-in keeper Dixon, when a catch was the better option, only for Jimmy Major to head a looping effort goal ward and into the net.

Anthony Baker’s loss due to a hamstring problem resulted in a lack of width in the second period and certainly the visitors’ looked generally less threatening. That said Ben Rayner shot over from a loose ball on the edge of the box and on 53 minutes Sam Spencer’s low effort had the home keeper scrambling.

City’s hard working Jack Guilford shoots
Pic Paul Burgman

Similarly on the hour Jack Guilford’s low effort clipped the woodwork after patient build up on the edge of the box. Hanworth were increasingly posing problems to the City defence and after failing to clear their lines, Shaun Preddie shot over when he should have scored.

But Guildford ignored the warning and on 73 minutes they once again neglected to clear when given the opportunity. This time Matt Baines didn’t need a second invitation and his low shot gave Hanworth a 2-1 lead. Guildford increasingly looked a tired side and it was no real surprise when, with seven minutes left to play,

Jack Todd headed home a third after Dixon in the visiting goal came and missed his attempted punch.

Team: Kris Dixon, Elvis Defreitas, Tom Penson, David Unwin, Ray Guilford, Ben Rayner (Junior Alade 87), Anthony Baker (Ryan Wallis 44), Jack Guilford, Sam Spencer, Khari Oriogun, Scott Todd. Unused subs: Bruce McPhail, Liam Talbot, Tyler Chambers.

Yellow cards: Jack Guilford, Tom Penson

Referee: Peter Georgiou

Report kindly provided by Guildford City Football Club