Guildford City exited the FA Vase with a narrow 1-0 defeat at Kennington.

There was little between the sides throughout the game, and it looked for a long period that just one goal for either side would seal the result.

City started slowly and their Step 5 opponents dominated possession. Guildford for their part were too often conceding possession, putting themselves under pressure.

City worked their way slowly into the match with Keone Pillay and Tyreke Martin posing problems on the left. Keone Pillay crossed dangerously into the six-yard box where the ball was cleared at full stretch from under Josh Williams’ nose.

After a double substitution at the break Guildford were an improved side in the second half.

Kiyanu Pillay saw a cross deflected over for a corner and the Surrey side looked much more like their lively selves. Luke Mitchell shot powerfully into the side netting from an acute angle.

Just past the hour mark Harry Hennem sent Mitchell into space and his piledriver just cleared the crossbar.

Two minutes later a tremendous run by Hennem was halted by a superb last-man tackle.

Guildford’s best chance came on 68 minutes. Mitchell took the ball past the keeper but on his weaker foot he couldn’t direct his shot on target.

The hosts broke the deadlock in the 78th minute. A mistake in defence gave Kai Garret time and space to race through, where he finished clinically past City keeper Jacob Slyfield.

The visitors pushed forward in the late stages. Williams had an opening but shot wide. Hennem saw a powerful effort blocked on the edge of the box and Mitchell’s header was tipped over by the home keeper.

Deep in stoppage time Rory Cornelius’ curling effort was excellently saved and it wasn’t to be Guildford’s day.

By Barry Underwood