Ten Man City Fight to the End But Lose Out in Lively Game

Published on: 1 Sep, 2024
Updated on: 1 Sep, 2024

Guildford City (1) 2, Chipstead (2) 3
By Barry Underwood

In a superbly entertaining game for the neutral, Guildford fell to defeat at Spectrum by 2-3.

But my goodness, they gave their all for the cause and they were in the end unlucky to come away without any reward.

For the second consecutive game City conceded in just the third minute after kick-off. Chipstead spun the ball back and forth and a Tijani Eshilokun shot from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection, wrongfooted the City’s keeper Jacob Terry, and nestled in the bottom corner.

Manny Acheampong whose brace of goals followed a hat trick in City’s FA Vase game against…

Minutes later City’s leading striker Manny Acheampong picked up a loose ball deep in Chipstead’s half and his early effort from 35 yards cleared the crossbar. Guildford had another half chance on 13 minutes.

From a free-kick the ball fell to Jake Brown but he couldn’t quite get his feet in order to shoot. But  City did score on 22 minutes; Tywon Gray’s through ball was finished superbly by Manny Acheampong who lifted the ball into the net from 20 yards.

Malachai Cole, who was impressive throughout, ran well into the box but he couldn’t quite latch onto Acheampong’s back-heel.

Chipstead looked dangerous the whole match with their wide men especially threatening. On 27 minutes Jacob Terry saved a powerful effort for a corner, followed shortly after by a save with his feet just inside the post.

Malachai Cole impressed throughout and was City’s man of the match.

Malachai Cole shot over the bar after combining with Acheampong, but the game’s defining moment came on 41 minutes when a frustrated Darnell Jon-Peter, who had kicked a ball away he could not stop from going into touch, was shown a  yellow card and then a second yellow card for disputing the first too vigorously.

It was a big blow to the side, although at the same time it also had the effect of firing the players to greater heights.

With City down to 10 players Chipstead saw an opportunity. A shot went over the bar but seconds before the break the experienced Michael Dixon headed home from a left-wing cross.

Although reduced in number, City are one of the fittest sides in the league and they gave everything after the break to get a result.

Tywon Gray’s attempted cross nearly deceived Chipstead’s keeper, who scrambled it away for a corner.

The ever-lively Manny Acheampong was fouled right on the edge of the box from which Tobi Falodi’s power free kick was blocked and the rebound blazed just over.

On 75 minutes City got the equaliser their play deserved; Gray’s through ball being finished with aplomb by Manny Acheampong for his seventh goal of the season.

Parity only lasted three minutes. The lively Emmanuel Robe crossed from the right and Zak Jakubowski was on hand for Chipstead to convert from close range.

Acheampong had a shot saved in stoppage time, but this time Guildford couldn’t get back on level terms.

Team: Jacob Terry, Tobi Falodi, Tywon Gray, Ben Drake, Jake Brown (Kainen Oragbade 73), Joe Atkin (Leevi Bassett 73), Luca Le Page (Tobi Shoyoye 58), Malachai Cole (Freddie Robins 84), Darnell Jon- Peter, Manny Acheampong, Benji Gambrah. Unused Sub: Joshua Adjei.

Referee: Nigel Owen

Attendance – 94

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

Share This Post