Tadley Calleva Bring City Down to Earth

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

Manny Acheampong moves forward hoping for a pass from Malachai Cole, on the ball.

Tadley Calleva (1) 4, Guildford City (0) 1

By Barry Underwood

A devastating five-minute spell in the second half saw City fall to defeat against an impressive Tadley Calleva side.

Despite conceding an early goal there was little between the sides in the first half. But Guildford couldn’t maintain their intensity after the break, and with player injuries thrown in, that crucial second half spell was too much for the visitors.

After eight high energy games in just 23 days in August it was no real surprise that the team would feel the effects at some point.

Guildford were caught cold within seconds of the start when Tadley scored early; a long throw into the box being converted at the second attempt. Thereafter in the first period City matched their hosts.

Darnell Jon-Peter turned well and from 25 yards his effort went wide. Tadley’s prolific striker Kieran Rodgers shot over from a good position, but City responded with Manny Acheampong taking a difficult bouncing ball past the goalkeeper but wide of the goal.

From a corner Acheampong, of all players, rose highest and glanced a header just over the bar. On the half hour from a corner the ball was cleared to the edge of the box where Tobi Falodi curled an effort agonisingly just wide of the post.

City’s keeper Jacob Terry also saw action; he saved brilliantly from Jack French after the ball had been given away cheaply, and then in the dying moments of the half he made another good diving save.

After the break City noticeably were not playing at the same impressive level. There was no arguing over Tadley’s second goal however, with Jack French firing a superb effort off the underside of the bar and into the net.

City defender Ben Drake

The defining moment in the game came a minute later when the ball was carelessly given away in the last line of defence and Kieran Rodgers ran through to slot home for 3-0. Minutes later a good move from a free kick saw Alex Miller shoot low into the corner and City were suddenly out of the game.

To their credit Guildford rallied. Substitute Joshua Adjei shot over the bar late on and in stoppage time Darnell Jon-Peter shot low into the corner for a City consolation, and his fifth goal of the season.

Team: Jacob Terry, Luca Le Page (Karim Kamhouri 69), Tobi Falodi, Ben Drake (Freddie Robins 61), Jake Brown, Joe Atkin (Joshua Adjei 70), Nick Inwugwu, Malachai Cole (Kainen Oragbade 69), Darnell Jon-Peter, Manny Acheampong, Benji Gambrah (Keoindre Ellis-Vassell 69).

Referee: Paul Sangster

Attendance – 121

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