Saturday saw a depleted Guildford 1st XI travel to Battersea Park to take on South 1’s league leaders, London Wayfarers...
The Guildford side, impacted by injury and quarantine restrictions for several players, fielded thirteen players against a full strength Wayfarer side. This fixture normally results in near heart failure for coaches and managers and this game did not disappoint!
Guildford took the game to the home team and pressed hard. Wayfarers worked equally hard to gain the upper hand, however, it was the away side that gained the early opportunity with an interception by Maddie Richardson, who along with Issie Francks had the advantage over the keeper with Issie scoring to take the lead.
Towards the end of the first half the home team equalised. Guildford came back hard and 1st team debutant, Anna Jourdan capitalised from a press on the Wayfarers' 16 and had a one-on-one with the keeper, but the angle was too tight and the goal was narrowly missed.
The second half saw Wayfarers take the lead with a questionable goal from a short corner. The pressure of lack of subs was starting to show and then an injury to Emma Stewart reduced the away side to 12 players.
However, fitness and determination showed through; Guildford again pressed hard and restricted Wayfarers to their own half - forcing them into mistakes - and were rewarded with an equaliser from Hettie Whittington.
The final score was 2-2. |