Arundel 0 (0) v (1) 2 Godalming Town – League
It became six wins out of six in August for the Gees after Saturday’s visit to Arundel, that’s the way to start a season.
It’s a strange start in a strange way, because after years of welcoming a host of new faces every new season, 25-26 sees us having the luxury of 19 of last year’s squad returning. The only newbies aboard thus far are Elliot Creely and goalkeeper Fabio Suarez – but keep an eye on FA Full Time.
Injuries and knocks, though, are already taking their toll on the squad, and 15 players were named for this match. In goal, management opted to start Ollie Ballam with Fabio Suarez dropping to the bench. It’s a tough one, and I’m sure we are all mindful that it took Ryan ‘Sully’ O’Sullivan some time to win over the fans when he came into the side. As it turned out Fabio was to play a part in this game after all, although I’m sure he, like all Gees fans, will agree it was to be for the worst of reasons.
Completing the starting eleven Nana Afful and Jack Sherwood were in at right and left back, with Rob Parrott and Elliot Creely in the centre. Cam Edwin wore the captain’s armband and played in a deeper role in midfield alongside Elroy Wealthyland with Deji Alabi and Jonny Miller to their right and left. Mark Soares lined up behind Will May up front. Alongside Fabio on the bench sat James Mansfield, Louis Lindsay and Malik Shittu.
The Met Office’s prediction of a 95% probability of rain at 3pm was bang on and after 5 dry games on either 4Gs or a dusty Wey Court the players found themselves back in more usual English conditions. Mark Soares presented Jonny Miller with the game’s first chance, his shot being cleared to the touchline. Will May was fouled as he picked up Ollie’s long ball forward, from the free kick Cam found Jonny again, who had another effort cleared away. Following two wayward Arundel crosses, Deji Alabi attacked through into their half and played in Will, who in turn found Mark Soares, Deji took the return from Mark, but the keeper got to the ball first. Their keeper then thwarted Mark as he turned and shot from the edge of the area. 10 minutes on the clock and it was Jack Sherwood who broke out and played in Jonny, again Arundel’s No.1 got to the ball before Mark could capitalize on the pass.
Pressure on the Arundel defence forced a sloppy back pass which Will jumped on but was unable to stop rolling over the touchline. Cam won the Gee’s first corner and from it the Arundel keeper again came to their rescue when he pulled down a well hit Jonny Miller return. The stalemate was deservedly broken by Godalming after 20 minutes. Will May was brought down on the right touchline, Mark Soares whipped in the free kick, Will got something on it first and the ball fell to Cam to smack home into the top of the net from a yard out for 1-0.
Unfortunately, we witnessed the tough side of football four minutes after the restart. Ollie advanced to successfully gather a long ball heading for an Arundel forward and was injured as he hit the ground. He was clearly in distress and was treated on the pitch, while the game was halted for 20 minutes, and taken to hospital. Sadly, it appears that he has suffered a broken arm, a cruel outcome for one of the nicest and most loyal guys at the club. We all wish him the very best for a successful and speedy recovery. An unsettling event all too reminiscent of the injury late last term to the other Ollie, McAleese.
Fabio took Ollie’s place as the game resumed and had little to do while the final 20 minutes of the half played out. That was unlike his counterpart at the other end who made two saves from Deji Alabi and was called on to come out of his box and chest the ball away from the path of an advancing Will May. With Godalming winning four corners in the period the whistle blew just after Deji was unable to connect with a great chip into the box from Jack Sherwood. 3-0 would not have flattered the visitors.
End of August and the end of summer? – the rain came down with a vengeance at the start of the second half. The travelling faithful were dotted about the very quiet and sparse crowd keeping dry, weather only lacking the presence of Dave Fiddler, a man who was known to endure the very worst of conditions, regards to him. No half time changes for the Gees and both Cam and Deji saw chances go wide before Jack “a touch of flu” Sherwood, job done, was replaced by Malik Shittu on 54 minutes.
Elliot Creely, giving another good account of himself, played two good long balls forward but both times the recipient was flagged offside. Louis Lindsay replaced Elroy with 20 minutes left and five minutes later the final substitution saw James Mansfield on for Deji Alabi, just after Arundel had failed to connect a free head to a corner kick. Without any warning or prior comment from the ref Nana picked up a harsh yellow for taking too long over a throw in. Malik followed him into the book for a challenge after he himself looked to be impeded on a run forward.
As is the way of football the more Godalming chances that weren’t taken and the more that the final pass seemed to go astray so Arundel seemed to be gaining greater possession on the park. Fortunately, they could not take advantage, and the Gees were holding firm. On 80 minutes Cam played the ball out to James Mansfield who advanced with both Will and Mark Soares in front of him. James played it into the path of Will who selflessly set up Mark to his left to tuck away the Gees second, 2-0.
Fabio produced a full-length flying punch to clear the box. While his opposite number, understandably named their Man of the Match by Arundel, got the better of Mark Soares for the final time after good approach work by Malik and Jonny on the left. An Arundel corner returned well over the bar brought the final whistle and Godalming’s first clean sheet of the campaign.
Next up, just for a change, it’s Copthorne again on Tuesday, at home, 7.45pm in the Peter Bentley Cup.
With 7 games lined up in September and no free Tuesday or Saturday until the 27th, it will be another tough month for the squad. Let’s get behind them.
COYG’s