Last-minute Goal Repeats Heartbreak for City

Published on: 17 Nov, 2023
Updated on: 17 Nov, 2023

Guildford City (1) 1, Horley Town (1) 2

By Barry Underwood

For the second time in three matches, Guildford City lost a match to the last kick of the game.

This was a Surrey Senior Cup tie that saw Horley claim victory in the sixth minute of stoppage time with a 20-yarder into the top corner.

It was an even game of football and whilst sounding like a broken record Guildford didn’t deserve to lose. They almost scored after thirty seconds. Darnell McDonald’s high cross was met by Horley debutant keeper Metheure Niube and Mike Coppinger, and Coppinger’s head saw the ball fall towards goal where it was cleared off the line.

MacChisholm saved a long shot low down, while for City, Darnell McDonald’s excellent cross went right through the danger area without a touch.

It was Guildford who took the lead on 12 minutes. 16-year-old Ben Thompson, who was starting a game for the first time, scored with an extravagant flick from Owen Sims’ cross. But five minutes later the scores were level with Sam Harper converting from a free kick.

This spurred City and Kai Beck showed a great touch to control a high ball forward, but his mishit effort was comfortably fielded by Niube.

On 23 minutes Guildford appealed that Niube stopped a ball outside of the box with his hand but to no avail. Seconds later a cross was overhit with City forwards lining up in the six-yard box. The lively Ben Thompson burst through a gap but took an extra touch giving Niube the chance to smother the ball.

Just prior to the break Thompson cut in from the right and curled an effort just beyond the far post.

Listen to Ian Plested’s post-match interview here…

City weren’t as fluent after the break but were still in the game. Kai Beck timed a run well but pushed wide his effort was blocked.

On 77 minutes Horley forced MacChisholm into a fine save when City failed to clear their lines.

As the game entered the final stages Tolu Ajayi-Obe headed over from a corner and Ben Thompson again burst into the box and his shot again went inches wide of the upright.

For Horley, a shot was blazed over the bar from the edge of the box and it seemed for all the world that the tie would be decided by penalties. Then in the final minute of stoppage time miscommunication in the City defence gave Scott Walker the chance to shoot home from the edge of the box to claim a late winner.

Team: Mac Chisholm, Lewis Taylor, Owen Sims, Tolu Ajayi-Obe, James Glover, Finley Warren, Ben Thompson, Owen Tanner, Kai Beck (Will May 74), Mike Coppinger (Louis Lindsay 74), Darnell McDonald (Manny Acheampong 79). Unused subs: Callum Sullivan, Chris Adams.

Referee: Daniel Killick

Attendance – 56