No Joy at Redhill for City

Published on: 19 Feb, 2024
Updated on: 19 Feb, 2024

Redhill (3) 5, Guildford City (0) 1

By Barry Underwood

Promotion chasing Redhill put five goals past a Guildford side who defensively, as so often this season, were their own worst enemies with significant mistakes contributing to three of “the Lobsters’ ” goals.

Redhill are a club “on the up”, on and off the pitch. Buoyed by a midweek win at Balham, the home side went straight into the attack from kick-off and before a minute was on the clock Mac Chisholm had saved a close-range effort.

City lived dangerously and it was no great surprise when the Lobsters scored on eight minutes. A short cross from the left was played into the box where Tyrese Sutherland volleyed home from close range. Two minutes later a shot into the box deflected heavily off of a defender and Guildford were 2-0 down, early doors.

City did counter down the flanks, and on 12 minutes debutant Shane Johnson headed a fine Callum Sullivan cross wide. Meanwhile high balls into City’s box were causing problem. A deep cross was headed over at the back post, and later a dropped cross saw a hooked attempt just clear the bar.

On 25 minutes it became 3-0 when a routine shot managed to squirm through Mac Chisholm’s grasp and into the net. For City, Johnson chose to shoot from long range when Leon Dadey was better placed to run in on goal.

Another debutant Jack Phillips, on loan from Sutton United, did well on the right and his cross was headed powerfully just wide by Shane Johnson. The home side saw another header just clear the crossbar, and Mac Chisholm saved well from a threatening cross shot. On the cusp of the interval City did put together a fine move that ended disappointingly with James Whiting sliced a shot wide of the target.

Guildford, to their credit, opened the second period playing some confident football, and in a good 20-minute spell there was just a hint that the visitors could get back into the game.

On 56 minutes an opening was fashioned for Shane Johnson who fired into the corner from 18 yards. City enjoyed good possession after their goal, and two Jamie Hilton free kicks posed problems for the home defence who suddenly looked jittery.

But normal order was restored on 65 minutes when Redhill scored their fourth, City’s defence again at sea. Minutes later a high cross into City’s box caused confusion and a fifth goal was headed home.

There was no faulting the City players commitment throughout the game, but 73 league goals conceded in 27 matches tells much of the story.

Team: Mac Chisholm, Lewis Taylor, Callum Sullivan, Jake Heighes, James Glover, Tolu Ajayi-Obe, Jack Phillips Jamie Hilton, Shane Johnson, James Whiting (Conor Stillwell 82), Leon Dadey (Manny Acheampong 65).

Referee: Ian Lane

Attendance – 130

Hear Ian Plested’s post-match interview here…

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