Godalming Town 2 (0) v (0) 0 AFC Uckfield Town

This was one of those “end of season” encounters which, while the G s would clearly like to win, they had no realistic chance of improving their position in the League and Uckfield were comfortable in the middle of the League.

So, with the Gs securely in the promotion play-off places Mo explained before the game that he wanted to protect and rest some of the squad. With Cam Edwin and Louis Lindsay both crock from the game at Dorking it was great to see them both at the game along with Deji Alabi looking like he is on the mend and Malik Shittu.

Ryan O Sullivan was in goal. Shi Nduilor and Ollie Mc Aleese the centre backs pairing this week, Charlie Welch at right back and Alex Afful on the left. Captain James Mariner in front and Deji Adeosun further forward with Ross Cheek in the number 10 position, behind Will May in the 9 shirt and with James Mansfield wide one side and a returning Athan Smith-Joseph on the other.
Mark Soares was on the bench alongside Jonny Miller, Jack Sherwood, Elroy Wealthyland and Daren Xavier.

In the opening minutes the Gs won a corner, which James Mansfield whipped in, curling the ball to the far post where Will May headed just wide. Only moments later Will was in action again chasing a ball down near the goal line at the road end, wide on the left where he managed to get a good shot in that just clipped the far post before running clear.

Then Athan took a diagonal high ball down and got a shot away on the volley that was not far off the target. The Gs then made a bit of a hash of clearing away a throw in at their end, but they did recover and clear the danger.

Athan again managed to deliver a shot from the middle of the park, but it was not a great contact so, the Uckfield keeper was able to save going full length. We have memories of one or two great strikes from Athan in the past.

Another terrific delivery from the stand side by James Mansfield saw Mazza get up well and make a great contact, but somehow it also went just wide. The visitors were living very dangerously. But to be fair their goalkeeper had kept them in it.

At half time there was a strange sound, music wafting across the ground and Ross’ announcements were crisp and clear. Wonderful that the PA is going again. He announced that there was an attendance figure of 308. Quite a while since we have had that many. Bet we can beat that on Tuesday evening.
At the start of the second half the Gs made three changes, Mazza coming off along with Ollie and Athan to allow Jonny Miller, Daren Xavier and Malik to come on.

The visitors won a corner, which the Gs did not deal with and Ryan needed to tip the ball over from a header. The Uckfield side enjoyed a few minutes in the Gs half.

Then as Jonny Miller made a great move down the left, he swung the ball diagonally across the pitch and a defender missed the ball allowing James Mansfield to bear down on the keeper but, unlike James he lifted the ball over the bar. I imagine that like me, others were wondering, when are the goals going to come?

Next Will May hit a shot that just skimmed over the crossbar after Ross Cheek set him up well with the chance. Jonny made another break down the left and played a few “one twos” with Cheeky before Jonny delivered the ball in but the Uckfield keeper again did well to snaffle the ball bravely. Will May created another fine shot that the visiting keeper again stopped.

Another great corner curled in by James Mansfield was brilliantly headed backwards towards the goal, by Shi, only to see the effort saved again by the keeper tipping it over the crossbar. The Gs went close with a chance at the far post from the following corner, but again the Uckfield keeper intervened.

Mark Soares joined the game at the expense of Will May who had worked so hard throughout the game.
The first yellow card of the game went to Uckfield for a foul on Mark as he looked like he would get away from his defender.

Then Charlie joined the attack linking with Mark on the right before Mark got past his marker and to the touchline before delivering a great cross at head height for Cheeky to meet heading home from close range. Shi went down and needed attention from Steve for the second time in the game. Gs had used all their subs anyway, so he needed to stay on.

Mark on another of his wiggly runs, went past defenders before delivering the ball in again. This time the keeper clashed with his own defender and they both ended up on the deck, giving Cheeky the opportunity to put the ball in the net and ease the Gs over the line now 2-0 up. Another win, another clean sheet.

We have the meanest defensive record in the League by some way conceding only 27 goals in 38 games.
Onwards to Tuesday night and the playoff semi-final against Infinity.
Let’s see a great turn out to cheer the lads on and hopefully make it to the final on Saturday.

COYGs