Godalming Town0 (0) v (1) 2 Mile Oak – League

On Thursday the news that Lisa Ballam had passed away came as a shock to all involved in any way with Godalming Town Football Club. Not having her presence ‘Front of House’ and her magnificent work behind the scenes is a tremendous loss to Club and supporters. It was fitting then that a superb crowd of 242 gathered for the game on Saturday where her memory was marked not by silence but by a minute of heartfelt applause.

The outing to Roffey on Tuesday saw Godalming score six goals, oh, that we could have added to the goal tally on this occasion, but it didn’t happen, and the Gees stumbled to their first league defeat and first blank score of the season.
After just one running, shall we scrap this monthly Man of the Match competition? The curse has truly struck Jack Sherwood, the initial and worthy winner, suffering an unfortunate own goal at Infinity followed by a shoulder injury on Tuesday which forced him out of this clash. We need you back, Jack.

The line up saw Stephen Douglas in goal with Jack’s replacement on Tuesday, Shiloh Ndiulor continuing to partner Elliot Creely at centre back. Malik Shittu was at right back with Matt Cox taking the berth on the left. A midfield of Mark Soares, Elroy Wealthyland, Cameron Edwin (complete with Captain’s armband), Deji Adeosun and Jonny Miller took to the field. Tayo Adekoya completed the starting eleven, leading the line.
On the bench we had Nana Afful, Deji Alabi, Sam Fernley, Ali Haddadji and Rob Parrott.

Godalming made the early running, winning a corner when Matt Cox collected a ball from Malik Shittu. Mark Soares then had little time to control his shot as he picked up a cross from Jonny Miller. It was all a bit frantic from the home side. Mark Soares was being given close attention (stating the obvious and giving no secrets away, wouldn’t you do that if you were an opposition manager) but he should not have to do it all on his own and no other creative options were coming off on the park. Still the Gees won two further corners and from the third Cam had a shot which was goal bound until it hit a yellow shirt and deflected away for a goal kick. Mile Oak were doing their job, smacking balls away at every opportunity and one clearance led to their first break up field, curtailed by an offside flag.

On 28 minutes Mile Oak’s first shot on goal was from the penalty spot after their second foray on goal ended with Shiloh upending their forward in the box. Stephen guessed the right way but it was now 1-0 to the visitors. Tayo Adekoya was pulled up by the linesman’s flag and subject to a long discussion with the referee, no card followed. Elliot Creely went forward down the right flank and played the ball into the area, but no one was beneath it. On the stroke of half time a wild back pass presented the Gees with corner number 6 which the keeper punched clear.

Malik and Matt swapped full back position for the start of the second half but otherwise it was as you were. 4 minutes into the half saw Elroy dispossessed on the halfway line, Mile Oak broke and scored their second goal, Stephen Douglas having no chance of making a stop. Two shots – Two goals, even at this early stage it was somehow looking like a big ask to come back into the game. Matt Cox went down under a challenge and was unable to continue, being replaced by Nana Afful. Elliot played another ball forward into the path of Jonny Miller who was flagged offside. Tayo was then given another lecture from the Man in Black after he was penalized for what was at best a 50/50 challenge.

On 58 minutes came the inevitable changes. After various players had approached and departed the bench it was Shiloh, Elroy and Malik who left the game to be replaced by Deji Alabi, Rob Parrott and Ali Haddadji. Both starting full backs were off the park and in their place Godalming lined up a three-man defence of Nana, Elliot and Deji Adeosun. In front of them Rob Parrott and Deji Alabi were pushed forward to attempt to salvage something from the match.

A small outbreak of handbags in front of the benches finally gave our Referee the chance to book Tayo and yet to restart the game with a Godalming free kick. Stephen took the kick on the halfway line and Elliot rose to nod a peach of a header into the area where no one could capitalize on it. Deji Alabi launched a powerful header on goal, again from a ball from Elliot but the keeper was equal to it. Sam Fernley made his appearance with 10 minutes to play, in place of Jonny Miller. It all went further downhill as we approached full-time with Mile Oak appearing to attack at will, Jack Webb on the bench receiving a second yellow card and Deji Adeosun a sinbinning.

No more to add, a very disappointing effort on a very poignant day, one when we all hoped for so much more.

COYG’s