Storrington 3 (2) v (1) 1 Godalming Town

Well, after the euphoria of the game last week we were all brought down to the ground with a bump at Storrington where, from seeming to be a goal up and comfortable, things went awry at the back and we conceded two soft first half goals that were going to make it an uphill struggle.

Sure, we were without Athan Smith-Joseph as last week and add to the list two Gs stalwarts in Ollie McAleese and Matt Cox along with last weeks hero James Mansfield.  But we had enough on the pitch to get a result in this game and Ismaila Doumbia and Charlie Welch certainly did not let anyone down.

After overnight storms with plenty of lightning and thunder and more rain in the morning it seemed surprisingly dry at the ground as the sun started to show through at times.

The game started pretty well for the Gs, with Ryan O Sullivan in goal, a back four of Charlie Welch, Rob Parrott, Ismaila Doumbia and Jack Sherwood, with James Mariner in front of them. Cameron Edwin and Conor Stillwell in the middle behind Deji Alabi in the number nine shirt and Jonny Miller wide on the left and Alex Afful on the right.  On the bench we saw Jason Cotton, Darren Xavier and Elroy Wealthyland.

Five minutes in and the Gs went close when Charlie and Conor combined to deliver a good head height ball across from the right and Cameron came in unmarked and made contact with his head, but he could not find the target.

Then, after holding up a good through ball, Deji set up Cam who unleashed a pretty good shot, but a bit too close to the home keeper, who was able to take it.

 After 15 minutes the home side won the first corner of the game although they had not threatened at all. It was well defended.

Minutes later the Gs won their first corner, which was delivered in to the home 6 yard box by Jonny Miller’s left foot, curling the ball towards the far post where there were a bunch of Gs players and the home keeper who failed to collect the ball. As the ball dropped in the melee that followed it was back healed in by Ish, we think, much to the consternation of the Storrington team.

But, only a minute or two later, the home side mounted a rare attack wide on their right and the ball was played in towards the Gs goal, when it seemed to take a deflection off a defender on its way towards the goal. But, Ryan seemed to have it covered and looked to try to touch the ball over the bar, but either misjudged it, or decided it was going over anyway., but some how the ball found its way into the net, to level the score.

Soon after that the home goal keeper did not take a ball cleanly and it fell obligingly to Alex who set himself on the edge of the area, but unfortunately scuffed his shot to the relief of the home keeper.

Storrington won a free kick a fair way outside the Gs area and a bit left off centre. The shot was hit low around the wall and Ryan had to dive to make the save.

The Gs were playing some good passes in build up play, but the final shot often went high or wide of the target. Deji was getting into good positions and manufactured some shots on target but somehow still awaits opening his GTFC account.

Then, out of nothing, the home number ten out to the right of the Gs goal at quite an angle managed to produce a low shot attempt that beat Ryan at his near post, the ball seeming to go under him to put them 2-1 up.  Against the run of play, just before the ref blew for the half time break.

No changes at half time

But, the Gs were fired up and started moving the ball well again, with Jonny Miller going down the right before he pulled the ball across the penalty area, but frustratingly the Gs in the area just could not make contact with it, even with the goalie beaten.

More chances came for the Gs as Deji had a half chance come to him quickly and although he got in a decent enough header the home keeper was able to stretch and take it.

Then it looked like maybe the ref gave a yellow card to a home player, for a tackle on Rob Parrott, but not sure. Rob will know.

Not long after Jonny Miller worked his way in from the right again and delivered one of his left footed curlers, which went tantalisingly just past the far post.

Gs won a free kick just outside the area. Rob took it and the shot went fractionally wide of the near post.

Gs won another corner on the right this time Mazza created another good header, which was directed goalwards, but again too close to the keeper as he stretched to take it.

 Almost 30 mins into the second half and Jonny Miller was helped off with an ankle injury. Spoke with him later and he says he should be ok in a week or so. Elroy came on and immediately his pace in both  defence and attack showed.

Of course when you are playing catch up you need to commit more players forward and, in the end, that bit the Gs in the bum as they saw the home side break away and the ball was hit hard and low beyond Ryan into the far corner of the net to make it 3-1 for the home side. Not much Ryan could have done about that one. Lots of possession and territory for the Gs once again, but they were not able to convert that into goals.

Darren Xavier came on to replace Alex and to allow Rob to move forward in trying to get the Gs back into the game.

There was a bit of a skirmish when Cam and the home number 8 both got carded after what appeared to be an “off the ball” incident on Conor.

Then a rather frustrated Deji was sin binned for dissent. I have some sympathy for him as he had been on the wrong end of an afternoon of decisions, which seemed to go against him more often than not. That was not going to help the Gs cause.

So, the Gs ended with only 10 players on the pitch.

After the excitement of last week it was a disappointing end to the game and the journey home, but I am sure the lads will get themselves up again for the encounter next weekend. To Infinity and beyond……

 COYGs