Godalming Town 0 (0) v (0) 0 Selsey – League

After Tuesday nights game at Dorking, which was nail biting, fast and furious this was a different sort of game, a frustrating game, in which the play was repeatedly interrupted by so many “injuries” and bookings. In the end, despite having some great chances the Gs failed to get the ball over the line, as they have done so well, so far this season. Such has been their dominance,  that despite these two draws,  the Gs remain clear at the top of the table by three points, with a game in hand. They will want to play better and I am sure they will.

Before the game started there was a period of silence to remember and reflect on the tragic death of Billy Vigar while playing Non League Football, which has been highlighted in the media. Both teams wearing black armbands.

There were changes in the Gs line-up from Tuesday. In goal for the Gs was Stephen Douglas, and in front of him Rob Parrott and Elliott Creely, Alex Afful and Malik Shittu as the wing backs In front of them the returning James Mariner, wearing the captains arm band again, and Deji Adeosun and Cameron Edwin  with Nasim Regragui up front and Mark Soares and the returning Matt Cox as the wide players.

Another strong bench with Jonny Miller, Elroy Wealthyland, Will May, Louis Lindsay and Jack Sherwood who has been ever present and even wearing the captains armband himself lately.

From the off we saw Cam head straight at the visiting keeper following a great interchange between Nasim and Mark.  Cam worked hard down the left flank and won a corner out of nothing.

The ball was then swung out from the left side to the Gs right flank where Matt Cox, in front of the main stand, was able to chase it down at pace and turn his defender before setting up Nasim, whose shot went just wide of the upright.

Deji made a cracking run through the Selsey defence before carefully flicking the ball on to Nasim who was just thwarted by the Selsey keeper who was to make several other crucial interventions during the afternoon.

Another great ball delivered by Mark from a free kick was met by Rob Parrott, but the attempt just cleared the bar.

Then there was a bit of a tousle on the floor with Mark and a Selsey defender, which drew a belated yellow card for him from the referee, after a chat with his assistant on the Stand side. Shortly after Mark produced a delightful chip into the penalty area for Malik to run on to. Malik tried to cheekily poke the ball through the keeper’s legs, which he almost managed, but not quite.

Yellow card for the Selsey number 8 as he fell on Matt just outside the area a little left of centre. Mazza decided to take the kick and it was well struck, but the keeper punched it away for a throw in for the Gs.

 Another yellow card for Selsey after a very late tackle on Nana long after the ball had gone.

At half time the score was 0 – 0 and a rather lack lustre performance from the home side after the riches that they have laid before us lately. Surely there was better to come in the second half.

The Gs were certainly stepping it up, pressing their visitors. But that brings openings for the opposition when you are trying to get forward.  It saw the first shot on target from the Gs guests, which was a long range effort from near the half way line, which had Stephen back pedalling to touch the ball over for a corner.

We saw a great corner delivered by Mark which was met by Mazza with a great header near the back post that was equally well met by the Selsey keeper, who tipped it over for another corner.

From this following corner it was Nasim who got his head to the ball, which this time rattled the crossbar. But the keeper had gone down, despite no infringement and the game was stopped by the referee, as it seems is the new ruling.

Mazza then was given a yellow card for a tackle that the referee did not like, in front of the dugouts. 

Not long after both Mazza and Coxey were subbed off in favour of Jonny and Will to change things about.

Then, a rare sight, as Rob was clearly struggling with a leg injury and was about to be replaced by Jack as he limped off.

The Gs were dominating territory and possession, but could not find the final killer ball into the area.

 The visitors mounted a breakaway after the Gs failed to clear as they should have. This brought a good enough effort that Stephen had to do well to palm away for a corner, which was cleared without event.

 Nasim was then subbed off for Louis to stretch his legs.

After so many stoppages throughout the game, unusually the referee was then also flattened and took a while to recover his composure and return to his duties following a chat again with his assistant on the stand side.

Malik broke swiftly down the left before unleashing Jonny in front of him. Jonny delivered a great ball in towards the back post where Will was waiting unmarked, and it seemed certain he would convert from my situation right behind him. But his effort went agonisingly over the bar to his disbelief and frustration.

More players down needing attention.

Elroy came on in a straight swap with Malik.

Then another cracking ball delivered in by Jonny across the face of the visitors goal, but though there were Gs present, none could make the necessary contact to nudge the ball in. More frustration.

Deji then went into the ref’s book to join so many others. Then another Selsey player also.

Mark then latched on to a good long ball out of defence and turned his marker before being taken out again. Yet another yellow. Taking one for the team. They would probably take that rather than risk a shot on goal in the dying minutes.

So, despite no lack of effort this bitty encounter it ended without score.

Never mind , yet another game against Copthorne looms for Tuesday in the Div. 1 Cup. Then on to three away games on the trot.  So drive carefully all.

COYGs.