Having not been able to make the trip to Uckfield, it seemed ages since I had seen a Gs game, with a few matches falling to the weather in the last weeks. But, an absolutely magnificent first half performance from the whole Gs team saw them dominate their guests completely and they effectively put the game out of reach inside the first 45 minutes.

With both Cameron Edwin and Rob Parrott unavailable through suspensions and Matt Cox still recovering from injury it was Ryan O’Sullivan, in goal, behind a back four comprising Ollie McAleese and Shiloh Ndiulor as the centre backs and Alex Afful and Jack Sherwood as the right and left backs respectively. In front of them was James Mariner. and Deji Adeosun in the middle with Louis Lindsay in the number 10 position. Will May in the number 9 shirt with Jonny Miller and Mark Soares the wide players. On the bench were Charlie Welch, Elroy Wealthyland, Conor Stillwell, James Mansfield (coming back from a broken wrist) and Deji Alabi

It was a cold day, barely above freezing, but there was a healthy crowd at Wey Court whom I am sure were warmed to see the Gs take the game by the scruff of the neck from the first whistle. The home side were moving the ball well and caused a fair bit of trouble in the Arundel defence before, after around 11 minutes of play, the Gs opened the scoring, attacking the goal at the road end. It came from a free kick wide on the right, in front of the stand, which was whipped in well towards the 6 yard box, where Will May fashioned a fine shot, which the Arundel keeper did really well to parry out, but only as far as Ollie Mc Aleese, who was on hand to smash the ball home from a metre or two out.

To their credit Arundel responded straight away and from a corner on their left, at the training pitch end, the Gs for once did not defend the cross well and the score was levelled within two minutes of the home side scoring their opener. Not like the Gs to concede on set pieces.

But, the Gs were rampant at the other end and Will May made a great break on the left and delivered the ball in well having got the better of an Arundel defender. But the visiting keeper was able to cover it.

We know that Arundel are a good side and past confrontations have been close affairs, but on this occasion the Gs were dominant with Mark Soares, Will May and Louis Lindsay all having chances.

It was no surprise that the second goal for the Gs came within 26 minutes of play, when Deji Adeoson made the most spectacular break from a point where he latched onto the ball roughly between the half way line and the Arundel penalty area, going past and through a handful of opposition players, before slipping the ball neatly beyond the visitors back line, where Mark Soares was coming in from the right and hit a fine left footed shot to beat the keeper and chalk up what I think was his first goal for the Gs. He thoroughly deserved it. He is such a talent. Hope he notches up a few more.

Talking of talent, Will May was also very impressive and used his pace to get past defenders, yet again, before whipping the ball goalwards. The final shot was put round for a corner, which Louis Lindsay took from the golf course side. Will rose to meet it with a most amazing header, from some way out, that absolutely flew into the net for number three, on just past the half hour mark.

Jonny Miller cut in from the right side and delivered a long range shot that barely missed the target. He also better judged the bounce on a long clearance from Ryan down the middle, than the Arundel defence did, finding himself with only the keeper to beat, but unfortunately lifted his attempt well high of the crossbar. Probably an unfortunate bobble on a bumpy pitch.

The fourth Gs goal came from some more fine build up play down the left flank before Mark Soares hit the ball in. The ball then was laid back to Louis Lindsay who hit a stunning left footed shot into the far corner of the net.

So, at the half time it was being voiced by the Gs faithful that they had just seen one of the best halves of football from the whole squad that they could remember for many years.

4-1  at half time. Most people would say that was a winning lead. But, those of us who have followed the Gs for a while know only too well that that is not necessarily the case.

Early in the second half Ryan had to be alert to tip over a good attempt from range from an Arundel free kick.

Arundel were going to throw everything at the Gs to get something out of the game, but the Gs defence dealt well with everything they were faced with.

Then there was a strange thing, when the Ref had a word with physio Steve Snelling for coming onto the pitch without being instructed to do so by him. Steve was trying to check out a potential head injury. So, when Steve was shown a yellow card, that seemed a bit harsh to me. First time I have seen that.

The replacements to the squad started to be made, probably with an eye to Tuesday’s visit to Chessington and Hook. Louis came off, after a great game, to be replaced by Conor Stillwell and Jonny came off for Deji Alabi to make an appearance.

An Arundel, player was yellow carded for a cynical tackle on Conor, when he was breaking forward.

Then Charlie Welch came on for Nana Afful, and soon after James Mansfield came on to replace James Mariner. Ollie taking the Captain’s armband.

 Mark Soares came off for Elroy Wealthyland to stretch his legs. It is great to see that we have a strong enough and large enough squad to be able to bring on quality players like these.

Will was given a yellow card for something that clearly upset the Ref, but which was beyond me.

Not long after, Will went down the left again and hit a shot/pass from a very acute angle that went straight across the face of the goal, but no one to oblige with a tap in. Both James and Elroy hit decent shots from range that were both taken by the visiting keeper.

 Deji Alabi made several good runs and hit some good shots, but without finding the net.

So, although Arundel were clearly throwing caution to the wind, they did not manage much to threaten the Gs goal. The Gs midfield and defence once again, as all season, was magnificent, all of them should take a bow. It is always the guys knocking the ball into the net who get most plaudits, but the rest of the squad have been brilliant in giving the Gs the lowest number of goals conceded this season and 4th position in the League.

A great performance on Saturday, but you are only as good as your last game, so we need to concentrate now on Tuesday’s game and hopefully another great performance.

COYG’s