Guildford City’s Poor Start Continues

Published on: 27 Aug, 2014
Updated on: 27 Aug, 2014

Jack Guilford goes to ground as he tries to win the ball.

Camberley 5 (2) – Guildford City 2 (1)

By Barry Underwood.

Guildford City’s start to the new season continues to disappoint. Despite sparkling early performances, injury and availability issues continue to pose manager Kev Rayner problems.

Antony Hall was absent on holiday so loanee keeper Andy Greaves was drafted in from Redhill, and, with the regular centre-back pairing still missing, a re-organised back four was on display at Krooner Park on Saturday (August 23). But City’s side did feature an impressive debutant striker in the form of Stefan Joseph recently signed from Chipstead.

Camberley were lucky to go ahead after seven minutes when a in swinging corner from the right was punched by Greaves straight into the face of Doug Ford and rebounded into the net.

City quickly responded; from a quick corner Khari Oriogun hit a first time effort over the bar. Minutes later they were level. David Unwin’s long ball down the line saw Camberley’s defence caught in possession by the rampaging Stef Joseph.

Calmly advancing into the box Joseph promptly despatched the ball just inside the post.

City’s Anthony Baker on the ball.

But in truth City were often on the back foot and Camberley dominated much of the midfield battle. It wasn’t a great surprise when they went ahead.

City’s offside line was broken on the left and Emmanuel Quarsie was in plenty of space to head home from 15 yards. The same player almost put the home side further ahead just before the interval but thankfully for City his acrobatic volley was directed straight at Andy Greaves.

Guildford opened the second period in livelier fashion and enjoyed their best period of the match. Almost immediately Jack Guilford forced Power-Simpson into a last ditch save, and a minute later Guilford headed just over from Ben Rayner’s free-kick.

A further minute later and City were level. Jordan Taylor, on for the injured Khari Oriogun, found Stef Joseph on the left. His powerful run took him past two defenders and into the box. His low effort rebounded up off of the keeper’s legs and Ben Rayner was on hand to head home.

There was no doubt that at this stage City were very much back in the game, and it was to take a 25 yard wonder strike from former Aldershot midfielder Ryan Scott to change matters after 54 minutes and put Camberley in the lead once more.

The game was still in the balance but the home team were showing more urgency and the game was effectively decided on the hour when Matt Bunyan converted from close range.

With City’s makeshift defence increasingly under pressure there was danger of the floodgates opening, especially after Bunyan slotted home Camberley’s fifth after 69 minutes.

A late header from Anthony Baker wasn’t far from gaining a late consolation for City but it wasn’t to be, and now the Guildford team move on to two consecutive home matches against Westfield and Chertsey Town. These fixtures have now become important to get Guildford’s season back on track.

Team: Andy Greaves, Elvis Defreitas, Bruce McPhail, Tom Penson, David Unwin (Yacine Moussi 60), Ben Rayner, Anthony Baker, Jack Guilford (Junior Alade 73), Sam Spencer, Stefan Joseph, Khari Oriogun (Jordan Taylor 42). Unused subs: Lamin Bah, Nuno Pereira.

Yellow cards: Ben Rayner, Tom Penson

Referee: Stephen Hawkes

Attendance – 106

Report and photos provided by Guildford City FC.