Missed Chances Cost Guildford City Dear

Published on: 8 Sep, 2014
Updated on: 8 Sep, 2014

Another Guildford attack thwarted by Chertsey’s defence.

Guildford City (0) 0, Chertsey Town (1) 2
By Jack Underwood

City must have fancied their chances of victory before this match. Chertsey were also relegated from the Southern League in May and had only won one game so far this season.

But the first few seconds of the game certainly didn’t go to plan for Kevin Rayner’s men as straight from kick off Chertsey made it 1-0, striker John Pomroy tapping in from a poor clearance on the line by Ray Guilford.

From the restart Guildford looked unfazed by the early goal as they tried to respond immediately and equalise. City’s first golden opportunity fell to Anthony Baker when his header was cut out on the line by a Chertsey defender.

City looked the stronger of the two sides with many missed scoring chances. Oriogun and Spencer both had shots from far out that didn’t trouble Michael White, and Baker’s skilful run into the box was met with a strong challenge before he could make full use of his goal scoring position.

Chertsey seemed to have no answer for City’s attacking dominance as they could only muster shots from distance, which didn’t trouble Antony Hall’s goal.

City’s Sam Spencer prepares to shoot on the volley.

Another goal scoring opportunity was missed when Rayner put in a great ball from a free kick but yet again no one in red and white stripes was there to put it in the back of the net.

In the dying minutes of the first half, with Guildford pushing men forward, Chertsey saw an opportunity to counter attack, which led to them winning a corner. It looked like Chertsey had snatched another goal with a thumping header but Hall got down well and stopped it from crossing the line.

A quick release from the City goalie led to a great passing move to Spencer who volleyed the ball all too tamely into the hands of the Chertsey goalkeeper. There was just time for one more golden opportunity for City to equalize as Ben Rayner found himself through on goal in the box but couldn’t finish as Michael White got down and smothered the ball.

Guildford started the second half as they finished the first and within the first few seconds Rayner whipped the ball into a dangerous position from a corner kick but yet again there was no Guildford player there to meet it. With City still looking to get on the score sheet and pushing more men forward, Chertsey were looking lively on the counter attack.

In the 58th minute Ben Rayner received a second yellow card and although now down to 10 men and facing an even steeper uphill battle to get something out of the game, City still looked untroubled by the setback and they pushed on to try and score an equalizer as another cross comes over, this time from Anthony Baker who was causing havoc down the right wing, although the cross was met by Taylor who missed the target by some distance.

With time ticking away both Oriogun and Penson tried shots from distance. It seemed as if nothing was going to work for Guildford when in the 74th minute the manager Kevin Rayner was sent from the bench for dissent and in the 81st minute against the run of play, Chertsey’s Cottee scored on the break to make it 2-0.

City’s Sam Spencer tries again – this time heading the ball just over the bar.

With a two goal cushion Chertsey pushed more up the field and created more attacking options, keeping the Guildford defence on their toes. An excellent ball from Chertsey left winger Jones made his way into the City box, but was met by an excellent block from Defreitas who cleared the danger.

In the 90th minute of the match Penson made room for himself and hit a strong shot from outside the box but it wasn’t enough to trouble the Chertsey goalkeeper, the story of the game for Guildford City.

Guildford City team: Antony Hall, Elvis Defreitas, Tom Penson, Ray Guilford, Liam Harwood, Ben Rayner, Anthony Baker, Jordan Taylor, Sam Spencer, Khari Oriogun (Ryan Wallis 76), Bruce McPhail (Anthony Bridgeman 65). Unused subs: David Unwin, Junior Alade and Tyler Chambers.

Yellow cards: Antony Hall, Tom Penson, Liam Harwood
Red cards: Ben Rayner (2 x Yellow)

Referee: Harrison Read

Attendance – 173

Report and photos provided by Guildford City FC

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