Heartbreak for City Again as Two Extra-time Goals Snatch Victory

Published on: 26 Nov, 2024
Updated on: 26 Nov, 2024

Guildford City (1) 1, AFC Whyteleafe (0) 2

By Barry Underwood

Big-spending AFC Whyteleafe departed the Spectrum cock-a-hoop on Saturday after a last gasp brace of goals gave the second-placed side an unlikely victory.

For Guildford it was heartbreak once again. An excellent performance seemed set to be rewarded with three
points before two goals from the visitors in stoppage time gave City that familiar sinking feeling.

Weatherwise it was a grim day. The pitch had passed an inspection in the morning but rain continued throughout the game with the pitch becoming increasingly heavy.

There was an early scramble in the Guildford goalmouth following a corner but after that City looked the more dangerous of the two sides.

A poor defensive clearance by Whyteleafe saw Darnell Jon-Peter attempt a speculative effort, but it went wide of the target.

Reece Robins looked increasingly dangerous down the left but an effort, after cutting in, was comfortably saved by James Shaw.

On the half hour a flowing move gave Manny Acheampong a shooting chance, but his effort went wide.

On 36 minutes City deservedly opened the scoring. Reece Robins free kick from the edge of the box deflected off the wall and into the corner of the net.

Minutes later, following a free-kick into the box a Jon-Peter half-volley zipped wide. Twice in the final minutes of the half Reece Robins came close. The first effort saw a 25 yarder just go wide and the second effort was deflected for a corner.

Whyteleafe had more of the ball after the break. Early on they saw a header from a corner clear the crossbar, whilst on 55 minutes Jacob Terry made a terrific save low down in the corner.

Within minutes Darnell Jon-Peter’s cross was met by Manny Acheampong whose effort just cleared the bar.

On 74 minutes Whyteleafe went down to 10 men when Alton Leeward was unluckily sent off for what was purported to be a last man challenge. In the aftermath, another Whyteleafe player was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes.

The visitors were now playing with nine players. Guildford stormed forward trying to take advantage.

Following a free-kick three shots were fired in from close range but determined defending kept the ball out.

On 80 minutes Reece Robins powerful shot was superbly saved. In the final minute of the 90 it was last ditch defending in the Guildford goalmouth as commendably Whyteleafe lifted themselves.

Three minutes into stoppage time the visitors won a penalty which Aaron Watson converted with ease.

Then six minutes into stoppage time Guildford’s heartbreak was completed. A quickly taken free-kick set Daniel Bennett through. As he entered the box, he cut past a covering defender and curled a great effort past Jacob Terry’s despairing dive.

Team: Jacob Terry, Joshua Adjei (Malachai Cole 85), Ben Gambrah, Ben Drake, Nik Krokhin, Luca Le Page, Reece Robins, Jake Brown (Alex Stingelin 78), Darnell Jon-Peter (Keoindre Ellis-Vassell 68), Manny Acheampong, Josh Fitzgerald-Smith (Freddie Robins 82). Unused sub: Joe Atkin.

Referee: Ian Oswald

Attendance – 68

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

Next match…

Southern Combination Cup tie: Virginia water vs Guildford City 7.45pm Tuesday, November 26

Table from Non League Matters website

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