Guildford City 1-1 Westfield
By Jack Stapley
Southern Combination Division One
Westies continued their excellent start to the season with a hard-earned draw away at hotly tipped Guildford City.
On another day, Westfield could easily have come away with all three points, but an inspired display from the Guildford goalkeeper ensured the spoils were shared.
FIRST HALF
Guildford started brightly, turning Westfield around and causing problems, with their excellent No. 11 proving a constant threat. Ford was equal to everything thrown at him early on.
Once Westfield got to grips with the difficult pitch, however, they began to flex their muscles. Efforts from Michael Rwabigwi and Brad Pritchard forced the Guildford keeper into saves, with the one from Brad particularly impressive as he got down low to keep it out.
On 22 minutes came Westfield’s first big chance. Great work from George Murphy saw him win the ball back on halfway before Tewkesbury delivered a cross to Michael, whose effort came back off the upright.
Six minutes later, Tewkesbury went close himself, his rocket of a shot taking a deflection off a Guildford defender and flying just wide.
Then, on 31 minutes, the Westies deservedly took the lead.
Tewkesbury brought down the goal kick, drove forward for around 30 yards, twisting and turning his way through the Guildford defence before finishing across the keeper with his left foot. Another contender for goal of the season already!
Ford was called into action again before the break, showing great alertness to prevent a 30-yard free kick from creeping in.
Half Time: Guildford City 0-1 Westfield
SECOND HALF
The second half started brightly for Westfield, with chance after chance coming their way — but the Guildford goalkeeper was equal to everything.
Ward headed over from 12 yards, while Murphy fired wide on the half-volley. Tewkesbury then smashed the crossbar from an almost impossible angle, before Rwabigwi saw an effort well saved when through on goal.
It really was all Westfield.
Against the run of play, Guildford found an equaliser when their excellent No. 11 got onto the end of a through ball before lifting the ball over the onrushing Ford to level the scores.
For the next 15 minutes, Guildford were camped in the Westfield half. Ford made two important saves, before Guildford’s No. 14 smashed over from 12 yards after a cut-back.
With just five minutes remaining, the Guildford goalkeeper once again backed up his claims for Man of the Match, producing a smart stop to deny Tewkesbury’s volley.
Full Time: Guildford City 1-1 Westfield
Westfield will take massive confidence from this performance. They set their stall out early, created the better chances and, for large periods, looked the more dangerous side.
One of the biggest differences we’ve noticed so far between Step 7 and Step 6 is the quality of the goalkeepers — and Guildford’s was excellent today.
The Westies now look ahead to another tough test next Saturday as they travel to Mile Oak.
First published in Dugout News, Issue 3, 23 August 2026. Republished here in full.
