No Christmas Cheer for City

Published on: 26 Dec, 2023
Updated on: 26 Dec, 2023

Abbey Rangers (0) 1, Guildford City (0) 0

By Barry Underwood

It wasn’t a crowd pleaser by any means but promotion chasing Abbey came through to win a tight encounter on Saturday (December 23) with a late second half goal.

The home side had dominated possession for much of the game, although the Guildford side defended valiantly in keeping Abbey’s forwards at bay.

Unfortunately, it took just one moment of relaxation for Danilo Cadette to slide a goal home for the home side with 20 minutes remaining.

City threw everything forward in the late stages in search of an equaliser. But despite coming close, time ran out and once again Guildford slipped to defeat.

The first attempt on goal came from the home side on eight minutes but the effort cleared the crossbar. Guildford were struggling to make headway and their first sight of goal saw Abbey keeper Sam Gray palm the ball out from under the crossbar under pressure.

Abbey then had a good chance to open the scoring when a ball was headed back across goal but was volleyed wildly wide.

On the half hour MacChisholm saved a curling shot from outside the box but largely the remainder of the half was uneventful.

On a rare excursion forward, Freddie Robins shot over the bar from 30 yards but there were still few chances at either end.

Abbey’s vital goal came on 70 minutes. A loose ball in their box fell to Danilo Cadette who turned the ball home for what proved to be the matchwinner.

In the late stages Ben Thompson and new signing Leon Dadey arrived off the bench and certainly sparked City’s attack into life.

But for all of the pressure City couldn’t fashion a clear chance, although a late free kick was headed off the line.

Abbey did see a late effort whistle just wide, but once again Guildford came close to getting something from a game, but as so often with no reward.

Team: Mac Chisholm, Lewis Taylor, Darnell McDonald, Jake Heighes, James Glover, Niall Stillwell, Callum Sullivan (Leon Dadey 72), Freddie Robins (Conor Campbell 72), Kai Beck, Mike Coppinger (Ellis Byrne 58), Anthony Ogbanufe (Ben Thompson 72).

Referee: Oliver Hind

Attendance – 72