TYPICAL GUILDFORD PITCH TOO MUCH FOR THE 3s

After a solid win the previous weekend, the mighty 3s were looking to continue a recent run of good form (with the exception of a defeat against some dodgy St Mary's ringers...) with a win against Old Guildfordians. Having overcome them comfortably earlier in the season with a convincing cup win, hopes were high.

There turned out to be few similarities with the previous meeting in September though. The opponents seemed to have a much changed team, the pitch resembling the consistency of a dry Weetabix previously, was this time more like a field that pigs would enjoy rolling about in. The Richardson Evans ground staff would have been most displeased. On top of that, a small but potent hurricane had placed itself in Guildford for the duration of the match....and Jamie was looking a touch pale, no excuses though of course!

Apart from the pitch and weather conditions, we knew it would be a tough game and it turned out to be so. Our opponents started with intent getting a few chances early on, a fingertip save diverting one curling shot which led to a corner. Any set pieces around the box were going to be tough to defend with the wind controlling the ball as it saw fit and as the ball whipped in, a Guildfordians player managed to find some space to slot home, 1-0.

Chances followed for both teams, our attacking players working hard to craft opportunities but being met by an equally hard working Guildfordians' defence. Our midfield being held back from the usual slick passing play by the pitch's tar like qualities. Vice-captain Cozens-Smith though was getting his elbows out in defence to muscle the attacking players from the ball, much to their displeasure and our enjoyment. Mother Cozens-Smith was also enjoying the display from the sidelines and brought along a Direwolf for company, who sadly failed at intimidating the opposition, bad dog. Less enjoyable was a moment for Ali who was also getting his elbows out and more, copping one straight in the nether regions. This wasn’t a game of tennis though and calls for ‘new balls please’ were roundly ignored. The half came to an end and the score remained a slender advantage for our opponents.

The second half began, we knew we needed an early goal to put pressure back on them, but the breakthrough eluded us. Archie making space and shooting just wide with Masa putting some silky moves together to also narrowly miss getting the goal we needed. On another day we'd have drawn level but luck seemed to be against us. And so it was when a Guildfordians' striker making his way towards goal was caught in the box and a penalty followed. It was swiftly dispatched into the bottom corner... again! The keeper went the correct way but it was too sweetly placed to get a hand to it, expletives followed, 2-0.

With 20 minutes left, Borough were still working hard to get something out of the game. A few questionable tackles started flying in, Masa taken out in the penalty box for one and when their keeper fumbled a save after good build up play from ourselves, a defender somewhat suspiciously shielded the ball on the goal line with his body before it was cleared.

Shortly after though a penalty was given in our favour for a different incident. A Guildfordain defender in the penalty box attempted to shield the ball out of play. He thought he had successfully done so and picked the ball up believing it had crossed the line. The Ref thought otherwise and gave a penalty! A strange incident and the inevitable protests began, some asking for VAR before realising the budget didn’t stretch to ground keepers let alone any kind of technology, so the penalty stood. The Captain stepped up, placed the ball on the spot, and with expert precision... pea rolled it towards the keeper for him to casually pluck it off the ground. What?! Had the skipper fluffed his lines and been seen off by a penalty spot divot? Were we cursing penalty hero Bench being pinched by the 2s?... Well, it was in fact a display of class and fair play from the Cap as it was confirmed the ball had obviously gone out of play previously and the ref had got it badly wrong, a trip to Specsavers in order. If the points were given for good spirit we'd have taken all 3, instead, we had to settle for defeat, the game playing out to its conclusion. We had acquitted ourselves well however and on another day we could easily have taken the win.

Happy to be exiting the mud bath, we move on to the next looking for a return to winning ways. The league is tight with many games to play and we're most certainly not out of the running for the top spots yet....

#BackStronger