East Preston 0 (0) v (1) 1 Godalming Town – League

If this game were a chapter of a book, it would be titled ‘Winning Ugly’ However, as far as the league table goes it is the win rather than the ugly that counts as the Gees reinforced their place at the top of the league.

The squad arrived at East Preston having won on all three of their previous visits and the starting 11 chosen to keep that run going were led by James Mariner who took his place in front of the back four. Steve Douglas wore the gloves and with Nana Afful suspended Sam Fearnley was an able replacement at right back with Malik Shittu partnering on the left. Elliot Creely was joined in the centre by Joe Moriarty, starting his first full game for the club. Cameron Edwin and Deji Adeosun sat in the middle of the park joined by Mark Soares and Tayo Adekoya in support of Will May up front. Jonny Miller, Deji Alabi, Elroy Wealthyland, Ali Haddadji and Shiloh Ndiulor filled up the bench.

A lively start with the first chance to Godalming when a Tayo Adekoya cross was punched away from Will May’s head by the home keeper. It was followed by a Mark Soares free kick cleared to safety just before Tayo had the opportunity to pounce on it. With 5 minutes gone East Preston staged a counterattack and rattled Steve’s crossbar with a good effort from distance. Then it was Godalming’s turn to attack, winning two corners in succession, Cam tried to take advantage of a fumble from the second but was unable to keep his shot from going over the crossbar.

On 9 minutes Mark Soares found Deji Adeosun in space in the middle of the park. Deji delivered the ball to Will May, who beat his defender on the run and struck such a fierce shot that it found its way into the back of the net seemingly via the Keeper’s knees. 1-0 to the Gees.

The next 30 minutes saw both teams trade corners and long-range efforts without further addition to the score. Godalming contributed to the drama by conceding three free kicks on the edge of their box, one looked like a particularly generous decision by the referee, but on each occasion the home side sent their kicks high away into the netting behind the goal. Tayo could not get enough power as his head to meet a Godalming corner and at the other end Steve coped well with the corners delivered into his box.

With 40 minutes gone East Preston’s keeper came out of this area to clear the ball in advance of Cam who was chasing it down. The clearance fell to Mark around the halfway line, he hit it goalward and was unlucky to see the keeper just get back to retain his ground in time. Deji and Malik both made great tackles to break up attacks and Tayo snapped another effort over the bar.

Bang on 45 minutes our old friend ‘Handbags’ made an appearance after a foul on Cam in front of our bench. It all looked quite innocuous but East Preston’s No.9 reacted and saw red twice, first by planting a fist on Mark Soares and second via the Ref’s pocket. The game never actually restarted as the half time whistle blew following the sorting out, Mark receiving a yellow card as part of it all.

Conventional football wisdom now has it that it is difficult and something of a poisoned chalice to play against ten men. I am not sure when and where this all started but the comments of those around me, as picked up in my audio notes, bear witness to the fact that no one anticipated or, as the game progressed, had an easy second half. The fact that the now missing East Preston No.9 was Zion Mcleod, the league’s top scorer, even failed to lighten the mood for the 45 minutes to come.

The starting eleven came back on to the field and it proved to be an open start to the half with East Preston intercepting two chances that fell to Cam early on. Will May almost had the shirt pulled from his back in front of our linesman yet somehow the home side found themselves with a free kick as a reward. Jonny Miller replaced Tayo with 58 minutes played. As the half developed almost as predicted it wasn’t looking a 10 v 11 game, East Preston were pressing with some lively passing football and Godalming were having problems retaining any possession in the middle of the park although defence and keeper were doing their bit when under attack. Mark Soares was flagged offside as he had the ball in the net from a Will May pass; it was a tight call, and it would have been a cracking goal.

Shiloh Ndiulor came on up front for Will May with 71 minutes gone. Sam Fernley set up chances for Malik, offside, and for Shiloh, a backheel on goal with insufficient pace. 8 minutes later, after Mazza had given way to Ali Haddadji in a like-for-like swap, Sam was adjudged to have committed a foul on the edge of the area, another very contentious decision in a dangerous area. Again, the free kick would have troubled the neighbours’ gardens but for the high netting. Cam picked up a yellow card for a foul, and although well within shooting range, the free kick went wide.

The final Godalming substitution of the game saw Elroy Wealthyland come on for Deji as we entered injury time. In contrast to the first half, we were to have to endure an additional 8 minutes of ‘added time’. Richard Keown was back on the bench for this one, his comments and cajoling liven up every game but today there was obviously a sense of humour failure that resulted in a yellow card! I wasn’t going to mention our first corner of the half which came well into injury time and was taken short without a yellow shirt in the area – but I feel I must.

And then finally, just on the cusp of 5pm, the whistle blew. Job done. Our first home and away double of the season but credit East Preston who are a very sound team who pushed us all the way. The Gees have shared the spoils (or worse) in games like this in the past. So, despite the frustrations of the second half being a little ‘lacklustre’ (voted winner of the travelling fans ‘Word of the Week’) and without tempting fate, let us give credit to our defence. Our back four have suffered a host of injuries both this season and as a legacy of last, but you remain, all 8 or is it 9 of you, the tightest defence in our league.

Next Saturday we are away in the league once again, to Reigate Priory. That game is at Horley’s ground, 3 pm kick off.

Before that, on Wednesday please all pause to remember the life and times of Lisa Ballam, our Club Vice Chair and very much more.

COYG’s