Both sides went into the game on the back of a defeat, Guildford losing at CB Hounslow Utd and Badshot Lea going down at home to Cobham.
A close game was expected but in truth Badshot Lea ran out comfortable winners. Nic Ciardini, one of the best players in the league showed what he is all about with two well executed goals in the first half and a towering header from Adam New early in the second sealed the three points.
Things might have been more interesting if Guildford City had managed to pull one back during the first half but a fantastic save from Kallum Lunn in the Badshot goal was just as important as the goals scored at the other end.
The opening goal came when a Guildford set-piece was cleared and a swift break ended with Ford getting in down the right hand side, he pulled the ball back and Ciardini opened his body up and side-footed home with his left foot. A perfect breakaway goal. A minute later he was in again as a long pass from skipper, Liam Roberts sent him through and after a twist and a turn he beat Zack Basey with a firm strike.
Guildford didn’t throw the towel in but their play was slow and always gave Badshot Lea a chance to get their shape right and defend well. A couple of chances came and went in the first half and in the second half Lunn was rarely troubled. At the other end, Basey made two or three good saves to keep the scoreline down. The biggest plus on the day for the home side was the performance of young centre-back Billy Irving. He may have been outfoxed by the far more experienced Ciardini, for the second goal but all in all he enjoyed a very good contest with the ex Farnborough man, (when Farnborough were a decent side). He reads the game well, knows when to challenge and when to hold off and he uses the ball well keeping it simple. Manager, Chris Balchin will be very keen to keep hold of this young talent.
Guildford City Secretary, Barrie Underwood always produces a decent match report with no bias towards his own side so this is just my view of the game as a neutral. If you have comments please contact me on twitter @mclem66
Scorers: Nic Ciardini 2, Adam New and Assists: Ford 2, Roberts.
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