Infinity 1 (1) v (0) 1 Godalming Town – League

There was a bit of “Deja vu” about this fixture. Last time we met Infinity on their turf we conceded in the opening minutes with a freak decision after a low free kick had hit one upright, gone across the face of the goal and hit the opposite upright and came conveniently straight towards Sully, who was in goal on that occasion. The referee consulted his linesman, who decided that he could see that the ball had clearly crossed the line from where he was, standing almost directly opposite me nearer the half way line than the penalty area. A goal was given and the Gs had to come back from that early set back. They did and it finished 1 – 1. – They had to do so again on Saturday.

Stephen Douglas was again in goal, with a centre back pairing of Elliott Creely and Jack Sherwood.  Alex Afful and Matt Cox the wing backs in front of him. Ali Haddadji in front of them with Deji Adeosun in the boiler room and Cam Edwin in the number 10 position. Will May in the number 9 shirt and Mark Soares wide one side and Jonny Miller the other. So, apart from Jonny it was the same starting eleven as appeared at Ringmer last week. On the bench were Malik Shittu, Shi Ndiulor, Louis Lindsay, Elroy Wealthyland, Tayo Adekoya.

To be fair, it seemed that the Gs were not quite as bright at the start of the game as we are used to seeing them, and the home side were a very strong, well organised physical side, who were clearly up for the contest, and between the two top teams in the table.

Minutes in we saw Will May having a go from a chance, taken on the volley, but it went too high to worry anything other than the resident bird life. But, great to see him having shots on those half chances. We have not seen enough of them for my likeing. We know what he can do.

This time, only about 6 minutes in, we were caught out by a long ball from a free kick that went down their left side, before a somewhat miss-hit shot, it seemed to me, came in towards the goal and Jack Sherwood had little time to attempt to clear and deflected his header beyond Stephen Douglas, who was travelling to his left following the trajectory of the shot/cross. Such a shame, as for me Jack has been once again absolutely outstanding, in every game and Stephen seems to be growing in confidence week on week.

So, we were on the back foot again early doors.

The Gs came back with a good attempt, from some distance from Mark, who had their keeper diving to punch his shot clear.

The home side were winning more of the fifty fifty balls and trying to break quickly out of defence to feed their number nine, who seemed to be quite pacey.

The referee was getting a good ear bashing from the home side about tackles and he stopped play, to give them a bit of a wigging about it, before restarting with a Gs free kick, but no cards shown.

Then, soon after, we saw Matt Cox deliver a cheeky throw in on the left to Mark who was able to manufacture a chip over the defence for Matt to run on to, but was flagged off side, which was a bit debatable, but the cross/shot went across the face of the goal anyway.

The Gs were putting together a few attacks and Will headed another good cross from the right from Deji, who had shown some nimble footwork, making his way to the goal line, but Will could not keep it under the bar.

Stephen had to get down quickly to block a close range attempt, just before the break, as the home side were again breaking quickly out of defence. He was probably the quieter of the two keepers, but looked confident.

A first yellow for a fairly cynical tackle from the home number 10 as Cam was battling through, just before the half time whistle.

So, at the break it was looking a bit lack lustre for the Gs, who had again seen a very significant amount of their regular supporters make the away trip to Sidlesham. The home side were certainly “Up for it” and were very strong in the their defensive set up. The Gs were going to have to battle a bit harder in the second half I noted if they were to get anything from this game.

 We did not have long to wait, as within minutes of the restart Alex Afful made his way down the right and linked well with Mark with some neat touches at the corner of the Infinity area. Mark, with his back to goal, produced a magical shot as he turned and being right behind him I watched the ball curling into the far top corner, to level the score.

There was another yellow to Infinity for a poor tackle on Will May.

After about 25 minutes of the second half Mo began to change things around and Will went off to be replaced by Tayo in a like for like swap.

Gs were looking livelier now and Cam delivered a good shot that again saw the Home keeper have to dive to punch clear.

Then more changes as Shi and Elroy were introduced in exchange for Ali and Jonny Miller. Shi taking on the number nine role and Tayo moving to play wider.

This move, bringing on some more big fast lads, to pressure the home defence, for me was working. A third yellow card for Infinity.

Then the referee chose to blow for full time, just as the Gs were mounting another attack and were threatening the home goal. Unusual not to wait for an attack to finish, but ho hum. Referees have my respect.

So, the points are shared again.

A result that I am sure all will feel a bit disappointing, but we have to take it on the chin and recognise that we can and need to play better, but still undefeated in the league. Long may it continue.

On to Roffey on Tuesday night “The Theatre of Trees” for the next round of the Peter Bentley Cup. Come and give the lads some encouragement, if you can. It could make all the difference.

COYG’s.