Hambledon welcomed title favourites to Badger Park on a windy afternoon and the conditions certainly played a part in this game.

The Dons welcomed back Seb Jefferies and Jack Field to the Bench.

The home side started with 3 at the back with skipper Luke Winter alongside Jay Kotecha and Ollie Calcott.

Hambledon started brightly and were useful in possession on and off the ball.
15 minutes in Kuda Kamoto raced away from the defender but saw his effort saved by the goalkeeper.

Guildford United lost their skipper shortly after who pulled up with a hamstring injury. We wish him a speedy recovery.

A moment of brilliance came after 20 minutes when a quick snap shot from 20 yards out which was destined for the top left corner was kept out by a superb athletic one handed save from Matt Mullins.

The away side started to get a foothold and were stringing some passes together.
The ball was played out to the left wing, Hambledon didn’t shuffle over quick enough and a quick cross was swept calmly into the right hand corner by the substitute.
0-1 G United

Shortly after the home side had the ball in the back of the net when Kuda Kamoto raced away 1v1 with the keeper & instead of shooting played in Felix Onabanjo who was offside.

An equaliser came close again when a free kick was swung in by Allen Tillyard. After some ping pong in the box the ball fell to Matt Metcalfe who from 6 yards out saw his shot somehow cleared off the line.

Hambledon were retaining possession well but Guildford always posed a threat going forward.

The Dons had the ball in the back of the net again, when a Jamie grove cross found Felix who slotted the ball into the goal but was flagged offside- a very close call it must be said.

HT 0-1

The second half didn’t have many talking points. The wind was making it hard for both teams to get any rhythm going.

Guildford United had a few corners which were defended well by Hambledon.

Calum Roots was working hard down the left and causing a threat but just couldn’t find that final pass.
Felix and Kuda were linking well but Guildford were standing firm and defending astutely.

A few substitutions within 10 minutes of each other saw Tom Winter and Jack Field come on for Skipper Matt Metcalfe & Luke Winter.
The Hambledon gaffa Will Grove knew we were in the game and went for it.

That paid off when on 73 minutes Kuda stabbed from from a whipped in right footed free kick from Allen Tillyard.
Tom Winter ran across the near post ensuring the keeper saw the ball late and it fell nicely to Kuda Kamoto.
1-1 Kamoto

The next 15 minutes played out evenly.
Guildford had a flurry of corners and a panic moment happened with five minutes to go when both Ollie Calcott and Jay Kotecha slipped and G United players ran in on goal. Ollie Calcott managed to get back and make a challenge to clear the danger.

Final score 1-1

A tough encounter in tough conditions.

Good luck to Guildford for the rest of the season.

Up next a trip away to West End.
COYD

MOM: Matt Mullins