Godalming Town 2 (0) v (0) 0 Dorking Wanderers B East – Division 1 Cup

For those of us who remember and love the original film, I fear that the new Spinal Tap sequel won’t be a patch on the original, but Godalming Town paid their own homage by ‘going up to 11’ with another victory at home to Dorking on Tuesday, 11 wins out of 11.

A much changed line up was on show, especially if, like me, you had missed the last two games. For this match Stephen Douglas continued in goal behind a back four, right to left of Malik Shittu, Jack Sherwood, Elliot Creely and Sam Fernley. A first start for Sam and Jack was sporting the skipper’s armband for, I think, the first time. Elroy Wealthyland, Ali Haddaji and Alex McLean were stung across the middle with Mark Soares and Nasim Regragui right and left in support of Will May up front. Standing by on the bench were Matt Cox, Cameron Edwin, Jonny Miller, Deji Alabi and Louis Lindsay

The first chance of the game fell to Mark Soares as the keeper just beat him to a through ball from Will May who was himself set up by Malik Shittu’s pass. At the other end a shot from Dorking was deflected for a corner which was dealt with by the home defence. Godalming were unable to capitalise after pouncing on two poor passes across the Dorking defence, Will May was wide with the first chance and Mark Soares’ effort was hit hard but straight at the keeper. With 10 minutes gone Stephen Douglas rose to punch away a second Dorking corner and was on his toes again to gather the return cross.

From then on most of the half belonged to the Gees. Another poor Dorking pass was intercepted, and Mark was inches away from beating the keeper to the ball. Mark had another cross cleared, the ball fell to Ali Haddadji who saw his effort deflected for Godalming’s first corner of the game. Ali got his head to Mark’s corner ball and was unlucky not to score himself, but the ball fell to Nasim Regragui who rammed it into the back of the net for 1-0.

A promising move out right between Ali and Mark ended with a Malik cross being punched away for Sam Fernley to pick up the ball on the left and recycle (as the coaches say) the move down the opposite flank. Elroy Wealthyland won a strong challenge in the middle of the park, Malik picked up the ball and gave it to Mark, lurking on the far post Will will be wondering how he hit the post from Mark’s cross. Nasim and Will created another chance, but Nasim was flagged offside.

Dorking rallied a little toward the end of the half creating a chance which went well wide and winning a further corner but as Will May went down in the Dorking box in added time the referee stopped any penalty debate by blowing immediately for half time.

Matt Cox came on for the second half in a straight swop with Malik Shittu and the action started with Sam Fernley being brought down wide on the left. The free kick resulted in a corner which was punched away to the right for Matt Cox to pick up and swing back in. Will went up with the keeper, the ball fell loose, and Alex McLean stuck away the rebound. The goal wasn’t given, the game restarting with a drop ball after treatment for the Dorking keeper. The modern game rears its head again, no infringement in the challenge but no goal either,

Jack cleared up a Dorking break at the expense of a corner, he was having another great game, talking to and cajoling his troops throughout the 90 minutes. A free kick for a foul on Ali, and the Dorking keeper was fortunate to gather the ball at the second attempt from the onrushing Will May. Shortly after the keeper was out of his area to head clear before Will reached him again. Cam Edwin replaced Ali in the 63rd minute.

Dorking rallied their game with a shot that went well wide. With 15 minutes left, Jonny Miller and Louis Lindsay came on for Nasim and Ali, and Deji Alabi replaced Mark Soares with seven minutes to go. We could be critical, based on seasons past, and say here was another game that Godalming should have put to bed by this point but there is a certain resilience in this squad that has seen them through to the final whistle, but alert for a late opportunity to wrap the game up. And so it came in the 88th minute when Sam Fernley set off down the left flank and swung a pinpoint ball in under the cross bar. On the ‘terraces’ we accept there was a bit of ‘flapping’ at the ball and maybe some contact, but to cap off a good move and such a rock solid 90 minutes work on the pitch, Sam has his first goal for Godalming Town. Two nil at the final whistle, 11wins in 11games, but most importantly it’s only September and we go on to our 4th game of the season against Copthorne in round 2 at home on the 30th.

Where to next? Another cup tie, back to the FA Vase, on Saturday at Little Common, currently 12th in the Premier Division, another tough one. Head in the direction of Bexhill for a 3.00pm kick off.

COYG’s!