A.C. Takes Good Strides in Finding Their Game

Guildford A.C. finished up their pre-season by playing in the CMF Labour Day Tournament. The tournament field was made up of some the top teams around and as such A.C. would be testing themselves against some of the best.

Guildford has yet to play a competative game together and the coaching staff were uncertain of what to expect out of the untested squad. It would be trial by fire right of the bat as A.C. took on Cliff Avenue on Friday night. Despite being a little bit hesitant out of the gate the team performed admirably against the tough and organized Cliff squad. Cliff Avenue got the first goal but A.C. was able to control the game for stretches and in the second half were able to find the tying goal. Final score 1-1 and good showing in their first match.

On Saturday afternoon, A.C. saw a familier foe in the Surdel Storm. A.C. was able to get on the board very early as one of Guildford's wingers astutely jumped on a mis-read ball by the keeper and tapped in the chance for a 1-0 lead. After the goal A.C. got caught playing Surdel's game and physically payed the price. Surdel, a physically much larger squad, dominated Guildford in challenges and A.C. struggled to build any kind of recognizable offence. Surdel for their part struggled to build chances as well. In the second half, A.C. started to sacrafice their bodies a bit and win some more challenges. Although still unable to build quality scoring chances, A.C. prevented the Storm from getting any chances. Late in the game, A.C. converted a free kick to go up 2-0 and that would remain the final.

Sunday morning A.C. was taking on the winless Dunbar Maniacs. Guildford really struggled in this contest and simply could not all get on the same page. While Dunbar failed to mount any kind of offence, Guildford simply could not string any passes together and build anything productive of their own. Late in the first half, A.C. was awarded a penalty kick and converted for a 1-0 lead. Guildford failed to improve in the second half as players just couldn't get thier timing and keep their composure in order to link up and break down Dunbar's back line. Fortunately Dunbar, while strong defensively, had very little offensively to challenge Guildford. Final score 1-0.

Sunday afternoon would prove to be the biggest game for A.C.. Playing the CMF Chargers, a win would put them through to the final and a loss would knock them out of contention. Coquitlam got on the scoreboard early into the game by capitalizing when Guildford's back line got scrambled. The Chargers were very content to sit on their lead and A.C. couldn't find the key to unlock Coquitlam's defensive shell. In the second half, A.C. adjusted tactically and the changed proved very effective. For the first time in the tournament, Guildford looked quite cohesive and was moving in unison. For much of the half A.C. pressed Coquitlam back in their end. The Chargers, however much then bent, did not break and at full time Guildford did not find the tying goal and lost 1-0.

For a first tournament Guildford took some good strides in the right direction. The team now had a couple training sessions before the season opens on September 13th where the girls play away to North Shore.