Godalming Town 1 (0) v (0) 1 Reigate Priory – Peter Bentley Cup
Godalming Town win 8-7 on penalties

The second match of 2025-26 brought a Tuesday night under the lights at Wey Court for the visit of Reigate Priory in the Peter Bentley League Cup. The Godalming side lined up with Fabio Suarez in goal and Matt Cox and Malik Shittu at full back. At centre back we welcomed Elliot Creely making his debut, playing alongside Shiloh Ndiulor. Elliot and Rob ‘in the wars’ Parrott swapped places from the original team sheet, Rob sporting a bandaged left leg concealing an angry lesion picked up during the Loxwood game. Deji Adeosun, Ali Haddadji and James Mansfield started in midfield, with Cam Edwin slotting behind Will May up front, and Mark Soares wide. A strong bench on show: joining Rob Parrot were Jack Sherwood, Deji Alabi, Elroy Wealthyland and Nana Afful.

The first few minutes saw an attempt from both sides. James Mansfield set up Will May but Will couldn’t get enough power on the shot to beat the keeper. At the other end Fabio Suarez was last man against a Reigate break away, he was not called into action as the finish went wide of the target. Malik Shittu pulled off a great challenge to snaffle a Reigate break on 20 minutes.

The play became a little messy and punctuated by free kicks until James Mansfield found Ali Haddadji with space, Ali tried his luck but hit shot sailed over the bar. Cam Edwin found his way into the book, although it looked more for the intent and thought that might have crossed his mind rather than his challenge. The ball from a poor second Reigate corner was collected out of defence by Malik, Elliot Creely held the ball up as Shiloh Ndiulor ventured forward. Shiloh’s pass to James saw James’ effort deflected out for the Gee’s first corner of the match.

Godalming finished the half on the ascendancy with some promising interplay between Ali, Cam and Matt Cox that presented a half chance to James Mansfield. Shortly followed by Ali and Matt combining again, from which Mark Soares’ effort won another corner. However, as the whistle blew the game remained goalless.

No changes at half time and immediately Mark and Malik swapped passes, but Malik’s cross found Will May flagged offside. Matt Cox put a ball over to James Mansfield whose header was gathered by the Reigate keeper. Cam was fouled in the attacking half, an offence that saw the first of five yellow cards to the visitors, all for errant tackles. Shiloh was first to the free kick as it came into the area, Will and Cam played a one – two and Will’s shot was just too high to count. Another Mark Soares free kick, with 60 minutes gone, found Shiloh again and the keeper’s parry resulted in another corner. The corner came over and gave us pretty much a repeat of the second goal on Saturday, Ali and Will both seemed to get something of a head on it, but Cam was again on hand to deliver the ball over the line. Just reward as they had upped their game since the break. It’s not going to make Goal of the Season; does anyone care?

Two changes for the Gees before the restart saw James and Malik give way to Deji Alabi and Jack Sherwood. Deji’s first task was immediately to pick himself up from the ground after his marker had earned his side’s third Yellow. Shiloh caused more problems from a free kick as his knock down in the 6-yard box fell just too far in front of Cam. Both Dejis had bit chances, Alabi striking a shot over and Adeosun seeing his goal-bound header grabbed by the keeper.

Godalming looked very much in control, famous last words, as we waited until 75 minutes for Reigate to carve a chance in the half, coming with a breakout and a shot that went wide. Some surprise to see Rob Parrott come off the bench, but he did, to replace Elliot Creely who had needed some treatment on the park, and at the same break in play Elroy Wealthyland replaced James Mansfield.  Minutes later Nana Afful came on for Matt Cox for the final change. As the changes bedded down Reigate came back into the game keeping Fabio in goal on his toes on a couple of occasions. With it becoming apparent that a lot of added time was being ‘added’, Jack Sherwood went on one of his runs into the box leaving defenders in his wake, only to see his pass taken away from Will May’s feet by Reigate’s No.1. Still time on the other flank for Deji Alabi to try a similar run forward and to force a save out of the keeper.

It was well into the 96th minute, and Reigate scored. Hands up I missed the buildup to it, but there it was. Penalties again! The second lot in 4 games. With respect to Peter Bentley, it’s not quite as important as our last shoot-out in April but they all must be won. Straight to the shoot-out itself and for all of us familiar with the Lionesses’ efforts at the Euro’s earlier in the summer this one was 8 green and no red lights from the Gees. With the kicks taken at the training pitch end Godalming went first and all credit to Mark Soares, Jack Sherwood, Nana Afful, Will May, Shiloh Ndiulor, Elroy Weathyland, Rob Parrott and Deji Alabi who all did what they had to do and scored. Reigate penalty No.8 hit our left-hand post and rebounded out. A word also for Fabio Suarez who I am told by those behind his goal ‘got something’ to 4 of the 7 but was beaten by the pace.

Next up it’s back to the League with a trip to the uncharted waters of Saltdean United – somewhere down Brighton way – 3 pm this Saturday.

COYG’s