Godalming Town 4 (1) v (1) 1 Worthing United – League

The final fixture in the Ground Hop UK Sussex tour for 2025 brought Worthing United to the Bill Kyte Stadium for a Sunday afternoon kick off. A crowd of 447 came along to top the 242 there for the last home game, although I’ll wager there were a few more that missed the headcount. For the many that made their first trip to Godalming Town, we hope you enjoyed what you saw and look forward to seeing you again.
A big thank you to all the Committee and volunteers for their work behind the scenes that pulled the whole day together, your efforts would have made Lisa Ballam very proud.

Initially billed as another 1st v 2nd game Billingshurst’s win on Saturday made it 2nd v 3rd but with the top spot lying in wait for the winners of this game. At the end of 90 (and a lot more) minutes that spot was claimed deservedly by Godalming Town, who put together one of their best second half performances in some time in a 4-1 scoreline. To borrow Paul ‘SS Lazio’s’ full time quote it was a real ‘Statement Win’.

Stephen Douglas rightly continued in goal. Across the back sat Nana Afful, Elliot Creely, Shiloh Ndiulor and Malik Shittu, the latter causing a double take with his new hairstyle. James Mariner returned to skipper the side in front of the back four, joined in midfield by the Deji’s, Adeosun and Alabi, and Cam Edwin. The lineup was completed with Mark Soares hanging behind Tayo Adekoya up front. Five on the bench, Jonny Miller, Elroy Wealthyland, Ali Haddadji, Louis Lindsay and a welcome to a new signing, and another player continuing Mo’s apparent obsession with the initials J.M., Joe Moriarty.

In truth it wasn’t the most impressive start by the Gees, Worthing dominated possession for the first few minutes without threatening the goal directly and with Mazza heading a softly conceded free kick clear. 10 minutes in and another clearance by the Skipper found Mark Soares, who nudged the ball on to Tayo, his shot lacked power but was our first effort on goal. Malik and Mark combined to present a chance to Cam but the shot went wide. Mark placed a cross in toward Mailk who was running into the area, his header had pace, but the keeper was fully behind it.

Physio Steve Snelling was to be a busy man all afternoon and was first called on to tend to Tayo following a clash which left him on the turf. On 25 minutes, having got back into the match Godalming allowed a Worthing attack to develop down our right flank, a midfielder cut in to deliver a low ball into the crowded box, and a Worthing boot got the first touch to leave Steve Douglas with no chance of keeping the ball out of the net. 1-0 to the visitors.

After the restart, the second of two quick Godalming corners broke down leaving the defence 2 against 3 on the break, Steve fortunately snaffling the ball up before further damage could be done. Worthing got in another attempt on goal which flew over the bar and Elliot Creely was called on to make two crucial tackles. Cam was clattered to the ground, cue a first yellow card for Worthing and another journey from the bench for Steve Snelling. Tayo and an opponent went down in their box and our referee decided that what appeared to be an innocuous challenge warranted Tayo going into the book. Not for the first time in recent matches we restarted with a drop ball. Am I missing something, please explain? If it’s a foul, it’s a free kick?

44 minutes on the clock saw mass ‘handbags’ break out in front of the home bench. All three officials had a conflab and decided on yellows for Mazza and the Worthing No.4. The unfortunate Tayo was flagged offside and as he continued and fired the ball goalward eyes went to the Ref following that earlier yellow. Cam won another corner; taken short the move broke down again and left Steve Douglas to clear up at the back. It was starting to look like another less than perfect day for a big Wey Court crowd when well into injury time a ball from the right landed in the Worthing box, it came out to Deji Alabi who fired it into the net. But wait, a whistle, this time for a handball against Worthing. It wasn’t the cleanest of spot kicks by Mark Soares, but the equaliser finally nestled in the back of the goal via the post and the keeper’s back. Barely time to bother with the restart, 1-1 at half time.

Mo’s halftime chat started on the pitch as he, his coaches and Mazza and Ollie McAleese chewed the cud in front of the Stand before going down to deliver the message to the dressing room. And some message it must have been. 3 minutes into the half saw Mark deliver a high ball towards Tayo who blasted it on the volley from just inside the area past the keeper, a stunning strike to take the lead. The Gees, driven on by Deji Adeosun and Cam Edwin, commanding the middle of the park, dominated the game even with both Malik Shittu and Deji Alabi needing Steve Snelling’s assistance. The third goal deservedly came on 63 minutes, Malik shook off his knocks to dribble down to the left touchline and deliver a low cross, Deji Adeosun stepped over the ball to leave Cam room and time to score. Before the restart Jonny Miller came on for Deji Alabi. He was quickly involved playing middleman between Eliott and the remaining Deji as the latter’s shot was cleared away.

Worthing mustered an attack of note on 72 minutes, Steve Douglas grabbing the ball at the second attempt while Shiloh was hit full in the face deflecting their next effort away out of harm. Elliot Creely came forward for a free kick and launched an overhead kick on goal which the keeper was well positioned to save. Malik was replaced by Elroy Wealthyland on 76 minutes and Cam by Louis Lindsay on 80. A great challenge by Deji on the halfway line saw him come away with the ball which he delivered across field to the feet of Mark Soares. Mark’s shot so nearly dipped in for goal Number Four.

With injury stoppages on both sides, who could bet on how long remained in the game. Around the 85th minute Ali Haddadji came on for Tayo, leaving Mark leading the line on his own. Shiloh got a head to Worthing’s first corner of the half and Deji won a corner from the breakout. Jonny Miller received the incoming ball and knocked it out to Elroy who slotted home that fourth goal. The game was over as a contest but well into added time ‘Handbags Two’ kicked off, in front of the Worthing bench this time, and saw Nana blot his copybook, receiving a straight red. There remained just enough time for Joe Moriarty to make a cameo debut appearance for Deji Adeosun, Louis Lindsay and Elroy to play the game out at full back and for the floodlights to come on and shed some light on the last few seconds.

The final whistle blew at 16.39 by my watch, and I, like the game, have gone on far too long.

I suspect the treatment table may be busy this week, but with this Sunday’s win and performance under our belts the roadshow goes on, away at the uncharted waters that are Jarvis Brook, that’s next Saturday at 3pm.

COYG’s