‘Patchy’ Performance Says Manager But a 3-1 FA Vase Win for City

Published on: 25 Aug, 2024
Updated on: 27 Aug, 2024

Manny Acheampong scores his third of the match to secure his hat-trick and his fifth goal for City before the end of August. Last season he scored only four in total!

Guildford City (2) 3, Worthing United (0) 1

By Barry Underwood

Guildford City advanced to the next stage of the FA Vase with a dominant performance at the Spectrum. Some of City’s football was visually pleasing, but there was a sense at times that with so much possession they weren’t as ruthless as they might have been.

But goal chances galore were created which greatly cheered the home crowd. Worthing for their part were under pressure for much of the game, but they looked lively on the break and they never looked a beaten side.

City were “at it” right from the whistle. A run from Benji Gambrah took him into the box but good defending saw the opportunity disappear.

Manny Acheampong, Guildford’s top scorer.

On five minutes Guildford did take the lead. Debutant Nick Inwugwu slid a ball through to Manny Acheampong, who raced clear to slot past Naythan Bryson in the Worthing goal.

The visitors had a great chance to equalise two minutes later. A cross from the right found Puddephatt in space six yards out but his effort missed the target.

Keoindre Ellis-Vassell gave Acheampong a good opportunity to increase the score on 14 minutes, but one-on-one with the keeper he slid his effort wide. Moments later Darnell Jon-Peter cut in but blazed his effort over the bar.

Worthing were finding some joy on the left side and one cross just eluded a lurking forward. But Guildford continued to press and Ben Drake had two shooting chances from corners that didn’t hit the target, then Acheampong shot just wide after good work by Jon-Peter.

Jon-Peter, frustratingly for him and fans alike, shot over from a good position, but minutes later in the 40th minute the second goal came. An overlapping Elvis Kwashie crossed and Manny Acheampong was on hand to convert from 12 yards.

Darnell Jon-Peter didn’t get on the score sheet against Worthing but he remains a handful for any opposition.

With the half- time whistle imminent, Jacob Terry twice saved efforts as Worthing sought to get back into the game.

And the visitors looked a better side after the break. From an early free kick they headed wide from the back of the goal. Guildford still went forward though and Manny Acheampong dispossessed a defender but his effort on goal was saved by Bryson at the expense of a corner.

On 54 minutes there was the unlikely sight of Nick Inwugwu, a central defender, crossing from the byline from which the skipper Joe Atkin headed inches over the bar. Immediately at the other end the crossbar did come into play.

From a long range free-kick Worthing’s Brad Hunt cannoned an effort off the crossbar, onto Jacob Terry’s back and off for a corner. Darnell Jon-Peter then combined with Ellis-Vassell but
his shot was blocked.

On 72 minutes City scored their third. Keoindre Ellis-Vassell curled in an excellent cross which was half-volleyed home by Manny Acheampong for what was his hat-trick goal.

It wasn’t Darnell Jon-Peter’s day in front of goal as two more opportunities were spurned. Despite being down by three goals Worthing heads did not drop and they enjoyed more possession late on and scored a deserved consolation goal from a Taylor Harding header on 81 minutes.

There was no doubt though that City emerged as deserved winners.

Team: Jacob Terry, Elvis Kwashie (Tywon Gray 72), Benji Gambrah, Ben Drake, Nick Inwugwu, Joe Atkin, Freddie Robins (Yomi Obafemi 72), Karim Kamhouri, Darnell Jon-Peter (Tobi Shoyoye 77), Manny Acheampong (Luca Le Page 72), Keoindre Ellis-Vassell (Nic Krokhin 77).

Referee: Matthew Barrett

Attendance – 71

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

Next match tomorrow…

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