Guildford City vs Chessington & Hook

A second trip in a week to Guildford, this time for a challenge cup match and it ended in disappointment when we lost to a penalty awarded 9 minutes from the end of extra time.

The game was again played in appalling conditions this time due to the torrential downpour that had even threatened to cause a postponement before a ball had been kicked.

An incredible nine changes were made to the starting line up with starting debuts being handed to Marcello Graca, Alex Wheeler, Jimmy Brazil, Rhys North and Darrel Swaby. Unsurprisingly the side looked a little disjointed in the early part of the game but remained relatively un-troubled. Gradually we got a foothold in the game and the trickery of Graca , the pace of Swaby and the sheer energy of North saw us begin to look the more likely. Whilst our approach work was tidy we lacked a cutting edge and failed to create any real chance of note. No surprise that it was nil nil at half time particularly given the assured display of Massing Davidson and the returning Lloyd Welsh at the heart of the defence.

The second half served up much of the same with our best chance falling to North, who’s well struck shot which had the home keeper rooted to the spot just passing the post. The longer the game went on, the more it was clear that one goal would win it and when we had Rhys North sent off under extremely questionable circumstances it looked as if Guildford might get it.

To the teams credit despite being down to ten men they saw out the remaining twenty minutes without incident.

Again in extra time the sheer effort of the side saw Guildford handled comfortably with nothing happening attacking wise at either end other than one clearance off the line from Andy Davidson. As the half drew to a close another debut was handed to George Field replacing the injured Jimmy Brazil. With the game now in the second period of extra time we were thinking of penalties when nothing more than a hopeful ball into the box struck Andy Davidson’s hand and a penalty was awarded. With the chance converted and nothing to lose, Ethan Lapsley was introduced to allow Adam Cheadle to play as a third forward. Despite the numerical disadvantage play was largely concentrated around the Guildford penalty area and although we created one or two half chances the game was lost. Our third cup defeat of the year at the first hurdle.