The scheduled away fixture against Guildford City was switched to the all-weather pitch at Glebelands School after their grass pitch was deemed unplayable. Unlike recent weeks of Arctic-like conditions, the team enjoyed a bright, sunny afternoon—cold but ideal for football.
Cranleigh started the match with confidence, sticking to their passing game and showing defensive resilience. The breakthrough came from a move down the right wing, with a perfectly placed cross into the centre that Kelly finished calmly to give Cranleigh a deserved 1–0 lead.
Optimism was high as half-time approached, but Guildford City responded just before the break. A speculative lob from outside the box found its way in for the equaliser, and moments later, a short corner caught Cranleigh off guard, allowing City to take the lead after a failed clearance.
In the second half, Guildford City extended their advantage with a well-executed passing move, slicing through the Cranleigh defence to make it 3–1. Despite creating several chances, Cranleigh couldn’t find the finishing touch to get back into the game.
A Narrow Defeat, but Huge Progress
It’s worth noting how far Cranleigh have come. Last season, Guildford City scored 15 goals in two meetings without reply. This season, they’ve managed just 5, while Cranleigh have hit back with 3 of their own—a testament to the team’s rapid improvement and growing confidence.
Next up is a well-earned break before the final third of the season kicks off with back-to-back away matches against Oxted & District and Ash United.
Final Score: Guildford City 3–1 Cranleigh FC Women
