Godalming Town 2 (0) v (0) 0 Alfold
Mo outlined the position on the injury front and player availability for this game in the match programme but it still looked to be a strong line up that he was able to send out and after the 90 minutes his selection had added another three points to the season’s tally and the win has moved the Gees up to 5th place in the table.
The starting 11 had Ryan O’Sullivan in goal, with Rob Parrott and Ollie McAleese at centre back, Darren Xavier at right back and Malik Shittu on the left. Captain James Mariner took his usual place in front of them alongside Charlie Welch and Mark Soares with Jonny Miller and James Mansfield supporting Cameron Edwin up front. All 5 berths on the bench were taken up, with Athan Smith-Joseph, Bradley Fangas, Jack O’Shea-Bashford, Deji Adeosun and Shiloh Ndiulor at the ready.
Not such a bright start from the home side this week as they found themselves in trouble early on. A couple of sluggish clearances resulted in a very early Alfold corner and another chance that was flagged offside. James Mansfield won a Gees corner in reply but from the keeper’s long ball out an Alfold forward broke and saw his shot, fortunately for us, rebound off the near post. Gradually Godalming settled and came into the game and a smart bit of play between Jonny Miller and James Mansfield set up Cam for a shot which was saved by the goalie. A long free kick from James Mansfield was headed on by Mazza to Cam, who was brought down in the box, a penalty all day but the Lino was flagging for an offside. Rob Parrott put over a cross which Cam chased to the touchline where he was fouled again. Mazza was just off target with his header from the resultant free kick.
Mark Soares and James Mansfield combined but Mark’s effort was smothered by the keeper and James was brought down in the next attack, his free kick being deflected for a corner. With 24 minutes gone Mark played a ball out to his right to Rob who shot, the keeper didn’t hold the ball and Cam was there to put it home for 1-0. Godalming were straight back at the Alford end, winning another corner from the re start. Sully dealt with a difficult high ball coming over and was then called on to make a save from another Alfold half chance. When Mazza was harshly penalized for a foul on the edge of our box Sully was there to tip the ball over for an Alfold corner. Otherwise, the corner count was all Godalming’s until the half time whistle, Mazza again coming close from one, and deflections behind thwarting goal efforts by Mark and James Mansfield. The score remained 1-0 at the break.
As you were player-wise for the start of the 2nd half which saw the Alfold No.1 gather up early attempts from Mark Soares and Ollie McAleese. Malik Shittu went on a forward run but couldn’t get that final shot in on goal. The 60th minute saw Darren Xavier give way to Shi Ndiulor in a like for like change at right back. A challenge in our half saw Rob on the floor with an Alfold man; the Alfold No. 10’s attempt to join in saw him get a yellow card. The surprise for those of us who have seen these instances so many times came when no Godalming player got a ‘tit for tat’ card from the Ref. A perfect time to set today’s quiz question; when did you last see Godalming go two whole games without receiving a card of any colour? 70 minutes and a double change as Athan Smith-Joseph and Deji Adeosun replaced Charlie and Cam. Shortly after the change Alfold had their last chance in the match which ended with a shot that went well wide of goal.
The final few minutes saw Ollie storm out of defence heading for goal only to see his shot deflected into the keeper’s arms. Athan broke into the area down the left and his shot flew across the goal. Deji and Mark both won corner kicks, the latter of which saw Mazza come close yet again from Rob’s back header. James Mansfield had an effort skyed high for a corner from which Athan saw his powerful shot hit the opposition keeper’s head. 90 minutes was approaching, and Jack O’Shea-Bashford came on for James Mansfield. I counted three more Gees corners in the time that was left. Mark found Athan with the last but one of them and his shot was tipped over the bar. It wasn’t until three minutes into good old fashioned injury time when that elusive second goal arrived. Athan repeated his earlier run on the left into the box, cut inside and smacked the ball home for 2-0.
I don’t like mentioning these things for fear of jinxing it all, but 5th place is of course in Play Off Land. When you consider that the league game at Alfold saw 8 goals last season it’s difficult to believe we have only conceded 12 goals in 18 league games this season, easily the best defensive record in the division. The chances are being created and the goals will come. Praise for all the effort by the staff and players this season, but pinch me, 12 in 18 games, this is Godalming Town we are talking about.
It’s another big game next week when we visit Worthing United, currently sitting one place behind us.
COYG’s