Three Out of Three League Wins for City

Published on: 27 Aug, 2023
Updated on: 27 Aug, 2023

Sheerwater (3) 3, Guildford City (3) 4

By Barry Underwood

Match played August 22 – apologies for delayed publication which was no fault of GCFC

Guildford made what has now become their customary slow start and for the opening 20 minutes Sheerwater dominated possession and territory.

The home side scored twice during this period and were well worth their two-goal lead. But City came storming back to draw level by the break and, by dominating the second half, clinched the win.

Sheerwater went ahead on 13 minutes from the penalty spot, courtesy of Tommy Whitby. Seven minutes later Ric Campbell had time to smash home from eight yards to give the home side a two-goal lead.

But this young City team were not deterred. Still up after a corner central defender Tolu Ajayi-Obe found himself with the ball on the right wing. With silky ball skills he crossed deep into the box where the waiting Darnell McDonald volleyed home.

Guildford were now making some inroads but after working hard to get back into the game some poor defending gave Adam Belanache the chance to hook the ball home from close range. So, two goals down again but almost immediately City were awarded a penalty for handball. Up stepped Will May who netted despite a strong attempt by “Sheers” keeper Craig Smith.

Guildford then deservedly drew level in first-half stoppage time. Callum Sullivan found Mike Coppinger on the edge of the box from where he drilled low into the net. There was still time for Coppinger to almost repeat the exercise but a desperate defensive leg diverted the ball just wide.

The second 45 minutes was probably City’s best half of football this season. Substitute Lewis Taylor was an impressive addition off the bench at the interval, whilst Owen Tanner and Will May ran their blood to water in the team’s cause.

On 53 minutes a long cross-field ball was chested down on the run by Manny Acheampong who shot across the goal. A fine Taylor pass put Will May goal side but his attempted lob went wide.

It was a question as the clock ticked down whether City could claim the three points. The decisive moment came on 82 minutes. Kai Beck slid a pass into the box and Jack Knight shot home from an angle.

Late on Sheerwater pumped a succession of long balls into the box but City’s defence was equal to the task and after three games Guildford have three wins.

Team: Adam Longman, George Fox (Lewis Taylor 45), Callum Sullivan, Tolu Ajayi-Obe, James Glover, Owen Tanner, Manny Acheampong (Kai Beck 72), Jack Knight (Louis Lindsay 86), Will May, Mike Coppinger (Jack Cleevely 88), Darnell McDonald. Unused sub: Josh di Palma.

Referee: Daryl Ann

Attendance – 101

Guildford City’s next match is at 7.30pm, August 30 at Spectrum.