Guildford Begins SMSA Cup Well

Guildford was fortunate to have drawn a bye through the preliminary round of the SMSA cup and was facing the Whalley Flames in the quarter-final game. Whalley sat in 9th place in the silver division going into the game but were among the league leaders in goals scored.

The game opened rather slowly with neither team mounting much offence and neither team really looking anxious to do so. The opening goal came near the ten minute mark when a shot from distance by an A.C. midfielder caught the Whalley keeper off-guard and the ball slipped right through the wickets for a 1-0 lead. Guildford was sparked a bit by getting the fortunate bounce and started to mount a more aggressive attack. Late in the half, the pressure was rewarded when a good low-cross into the box was finished well to extend the lead to two; which is where it would stand at the half.

In the second half, A.C. finally settled into the game and looked to play more cohesively. With the better play, Guildford slowly added to their lead. On the defensive end, Guildford played a tidy game with the exception of free kick by Whalley that fed a Flames attacker right in on goal; the scoring chance what eliminated by great save by Guildford's on rushing keeper. In the half A.C. tallied four goals for a 6-0 final.

With the win Guildford moves into the semi-finals where they will face the SFC Panthers.