Infinity 1 (1) v (1) 1 Godalming Town

So, what has happened in the two weeks since we became the first team to beat Seaford? Not a lot is the answer, for, following the Great Storrington Give Away, the first visit of the Club to Infinity joins the list of games not to live long in the memory I’m afraid.

Let’s get our bearings, Infinity F.C. is in Sidlesham, therefore it’s safe to assume that Selsey F.C., 3 miles to the south, must be the “Beyond” bit Buzz Lightyear goes on about. There was a Sidlesham F.C. who played on that ground, but they are apparently now Fishbourne F.C. on the outskirts of Chichester. I was more confused though by the steward at the gate wearing a  Fleetlands FC high vis as it turns out they play in Gosport. I was in the right place though and so to the game.

Mo selected an eleven consisting of Ryan O’Sullivan in goal, behind a back four of the returning Matt Cox and Ollie McAleese, to partner Rob Parrot and Jack Sherwood. Captain James Mariner was in front of them with Jonny Miller on the right, Elroy Wealthyland left and Conor Stillwell. The pair of Cameron Edwin in behind Deji Alabi up front completed the starters. James Mansfield, Nana Afful and Charlie Welch were on the bench and with them a welcome to new signing Shiloh O’Connor.

3 minutes in and a Jack Sherwood challenge was harshly pulled up for an Infinity free kick some 30 yards out. With what looked like a clear sight of our right hand post the Infinity man thumped the ball against the post, the ball re-bounded across to, and with a second clatter, off and out from the other post. Did it cross the line? From the other end I couldn’t say. The lads were adamant it hadn’t. 1-0 down, not a great start.

Despite Infinity attempting to play out from the back and slipping on what appeared to be a decent surface we couldn’t capitalise and at the other end they were awarded a second free kick on our goal line followed by the first corner of the game. Matt Cox played in Deji Alabi for our first attack of the day, but he was tackled by a defender. Cam was brought down, not for the first time in the match and we were a little surprised to see the tallest man on the park take the kick himself, Jonny Miller being called offside as the ball went back in for a second time. A skyed clearance was picked up by Elroy, Cam played a one two with Jack Sherwood and the Gees won their first corner on 20 minutes. Cam won the ball in the middle again, Deji picked up the pass and let fly wide of goal.

Conor Stillwell was next to be clattered, Mazza played the free kick into Rob’s wide run and crossed for Ollie McAleese to win a second corner which was palmed away by their keeper. A second foul on Conor led to the first yellow card of the day. Two half chances for Jonny and then Deji both went over the bar before Rob broke up field from an Infinity corner, took a return ball from Conor and saw his effort go just wide. 39 minutes and a probing corner from Jonny Miller saw the ball come off from the bar to be put into the net by Cam. Another not pretty goal but we don’t care, a fair reward for our efforts up to that point. Half time 1-1.

No changes for the start of the second half. A bright first few minutes from Godalming. Jonny Miller was fouled, and the free kick was quickly sent into the box when Matt was seemingly in a better position to be played in down the right flank. Shortly after Cam won the ball for Elroy to cross to Deji only for him to see his effort come off the bar, Cam following up couldn’t position himself in time and could only shoot wide. Unfortunately, that early brightness faded and the more physical side, Infinity, came back at the Gees. They were fortunate not to receive another yellow for yet another challenge on Jonny Miller as two feet were left in. I conclude it is something in the water down that way as ‘handbags’ broke out following a few very choice words emanating from the pitch. I’m reminded that long after the game at Selsey last season Godalming were penalised when someone had allegedly  heard a ‘hurty’ word spoken in the crowd. That resulted in a fine, this in a drop ball.

On the stroke of 70 minutes Shiloh O’Connor came on for his debut replacing Elroy Wealthyland. Rob Parrott tried his best to fire up the side, taking the ball to the opponents, but the message was getting lost as Infinity tried their luck again from long range, hit another free kick into the wall and we cleared another chance off the line created by their lively substitute wearing the 17 shirt. The two James’s swopped over on 75 minutes with Mansfield replacing Mariner and 5 minutes later Nana Afful replaced Deji. Good work by Cam, who had picked up a yellow card just after the substitution, won two successive throws in the opposition half. At that stage of the game, I would have wound up a Stillwell long throw, but we didn’t. A sinbinning for Infinity, too late to affect the result, one last free kick for the Gees straight into the wall and just time for Infinity’s 17 to win another corner for them before the whistle blew.

Copthorne at home next Saturday, over a quarter of the season gone, time to push on up that table.

COYG’s