Godalming Town 3 (2) V (0) 0 Storrington
Three more points for Godalming as the crowd, at 171 by some way the biggest of the day in the division, saw Storrington beaten, winning 3-0 for the second week in succession. It is great to have one of the strongest squads at the club in quite a while and Mo and his team shuffled the pack for the latest game on the run in. It’s great also to see those members of the squad who in the named 15 in attendance at the game as well. That includes Conor Stillwell and Jonny Miller where injury may have brought their season to a premature close. We all hope that’s not the case and wish them a speedy return to fitness. Big thanks to you both for your significant contribution to this season.
The sun shone again, as Ryan O’Sullivan donned the gloves. In front of him Rob Parrott and Ollie McAleese returned as the centre back pairing with Nana Afful and Jack Sherwood the full backs. Elroy Wealthyland and James Mansfield came into the midfield alongside the two Dejis, Adeosun and Alabi, and Mark Soares, all supporting Will May upfront. Louis Lindsay, Cameron Edwin, Malik Shittu and Ross Cheek were on the bench alongside James Mariner, the captain’s armband being worn on the park by Ollie McAleese.
The first chance for the Gees fell to James Mansfield who latched on to a Deji Adoesun free kick to bring an early save out of the Storrington keeper. Following a decent spell of possession the same Deji found Nana Afful, Mark Soares picked up Nana’s pass and shot, only to see the keeper parry the ball away. The No.1 was soon called into action again, getting down to take the ball from Will May who was chasing a Mark Soares through ball. 15 minutes gone and Nana again set up Mark, his shot rebounded off a defender to the feet of Jack Sherwood, lurking on the edgeof the area. Jack cooly slotted the ball along the ground and into the back of the net by the far post to open his account for the season. 1-0 Gees.
The game at Storrington in September didn’t go well (understatement) and marked the only time the Gees conceded 3 goals in a league match this season. This one was a different affair. I counted just two Storrington chances in the half, both from free kicks, the first didn’t pass the Godalming defensive wall, the second Ryan saved at the expense of their only corner of the half. Just after the first of their efforts, Ollie McAleese was just beaten to the ball by a defender as he went up to connect with a free kick. The Gee’s lively build-up play continued but the final ball appeared to be going astray. That being said, on the half hour Jack played a ball down the left to Will, Will turned inside, rode the tackles along the goal line and scored the Gee’s second from a tight angle at the near post.
A Storrington foot somehow managed to clear a Mark Soares shot, this followed great work from Deji Alabi and Will to set up the chance. The attacks continued, despite a good number of spectators hearing a confusingly long whistle and wandering off, thinking half time had come. Play carried on for a good few minutes until the actual whistle, and saw Rob Parrott beaten to a header by the Storrington keeper who was down again to punch out Will’s return shot, the ball fell to Mark who agonizingly hit the post with his effort. The final foray of the half was set up by more good work from the Dejis and Mark Soares, James Mansfield getting off a shot on the turn, which the keeper kept out. Half time then, and 2-0 Gees.
A rare Godalming change for the restart and, in a spot of rotation, goal scorer Jack Sherwood gave way to Malik Shittu at left back. Mark Soares appeared to get clattered in the centre circle but ‘play on’ was the decision and Storrington went on to win their first corner of the half. The defence dealt with it well, cleared up to Will May and on to Deji Alabi via Mark Soares, Deji beat two defenders and forced a good save from the Storrington keeper. Hearts went to mouths for a moment when Sully appeared to over-step a back pass from Rob leading to a corner, but as the corner came over, he redeemed himself with a fine punch away at the far post.
A double substitution on 58 minutes introduced Louis Lindsay and Ross Cheek into the game, replacing Deji Alabi and Mark Soares, and both subs were quick to make their mark, combining to set up a ‘Cheeky’ shot. Their keeper saved both that attempt and James Mansfield’s effort from the rebound. Mazza came on for Deji Adeosun on 65 minutes and immediately played a great long ball to Louis Lindsay who was inches offside. That play was repeated minutes later, this time Louis’ shot was blocked. Louis’ third effort, coming from a build between himself, Cheeky and Nana was thumped away to safety. The final substitution of the day for Godalming saw Cam Edwin on for Will May with 15 minutes left.
Ollie played in Cam, who put a low ball across the box to which no one could put the finishing touch, and James Mansfield had two efforts on goal, one saved and the other passing over the bar. With two minutes of ‘normal’ time left Cam repeated that earlier run down the right goal line and beat 3 men to deliver another low cross. This time Louis Lindsay was on hand to put the ball away for 3-0.
The Final Whistle blew and saw us move on to 73 points – but should we have had more goals from this one? – probably.
So, where do we stand? 73 points and a Maths ‘O’ level tells me we have secured the 2nd playoff spot.
Seriously, all to play for. Next up, away to Alfold, Saturday 19th April, 3pm and the on Easter Monday a trip to Dorking Wanderers B with an an 11am KO.
Then we’ll do some more sums.
COYG’s