Reigate Priory 2 (2) v (1) 3 Godalming Town – League

What a game! What a result! What a comeback!
Once again the Gs made things hard for themselves with a poor start, going 2-0 down within the first 15 – 20 minutes, before staging a great comeback that will linger long in the memory of all those Gs supporters who braved the elements to witness it.

It was really cold and windy at Horley and raining throughout the game. Unpleasant for the players and the spectators. With the injuries that have plagued the Gs back row this season ruling out so many stalwart players and Shi being away on a break and Cameron being suspended alongside Nana, there would need to be some new names on the squad sheet.

The Gs players in the starting line up were Will May, leading the line in the number nine shirt, with Mark Soares and Tayo Adekoya as the wide players. Ali Haddadji in a sort of number 10 position. Deji Adeosun in the middle with James Mariner in front of the back four, which was made up of October’s Player of the Month, Elliott Creely alongside Joe Moriarty, finding his feet well in the side. Malik Shittu and Sam Fernley the wing/full backs and Steve “Dougie” Douglas in between the posts.

On the bench were Jonny Miller, Deji Alabi, Louis Lindsay and Callum Lawrence from the U23s and who impressed earlier in the season, along with another U23s player Danilo Carvalho making his debut. A testimony to Mo Sher and his management team that we have such talent on the bench when needed.
The opening part of the first half saw the Gs rather on the back foot and behind the pace of the game, while the home side were more physical in contact and dominating possession.

Around 12 minutes into the game, having won a couple of corners, the Reigate side went ahead after the ball was lofted in from a corner on their right side and dropped on the edge of the 6 yard box where a leg was swung and seemed to get a good contact on the volley to find the back of the net.

Within a few minutes things got worse for the Gs when, after some indecisive headers in their defence put the Gs goal under threat, a slightly clumsy challenge was punished by the award of a penalty to the home side. Steve was unlucky not to save it, as he appeared to get his hand to it but was not able to get enough on it to stop it going in.

The first yellow card of the game was issued to the home team. Tayo was often battling with two or more opposing defenders and they were seemingly able to manhandle him with impunity, leading to a number of stoppages in play. Tayo received a yellow card as he chased a ball running back to the Reigate keeper and appeared to nudge a defender, who was obstructing him and protecting his keeper.
Then with probably ten minutes of the half left Tayo was subbed off and Deji Alabi came on. Some adjustments to the squad set up. The Gs seemed to press on more and gained the upper hand for the rest of the half.

The Gs won a couple of corners and a poor clearance from the home defence arrived in Deji Alabi’s location, just beyond the penalty area. He hit a low shot that cut through the defence and nestled nicely in the back of the net, to bring the score back to 2-1. The Gs were now back in it. Events almost repeated themselves moments later, from another corner, but this time the shot failed to hit the target. So, it was 2-1 at half time. Who knows what Mo and his team say at half times, but they seem to have the knack of sorting things out.

Early in the second half Will May directed a header towards the bottom of the far post only to see it cleared by a defender on the line. James Mariner was then replaced by Louis Lindsay with Ali dropping back to Mazza’s spot. Soon after there was a long range effort that pinged off the crossbar. Not sure if it was Louis, but it looked like him to me. Apologies if I got it wrong.

The Gs then were awarded a penalty for a rather rash and unnecessary challenge, which would bring them level. Mark as usual cooly stepped up and lashed the ball into the net, to do just that. Just reward for the pressure that they had exerted on the home defence. Now 2-2 with around 20 mins to go.
The Gs were totally dominating the possession with the home side struggling to cross the half way line. But could we take all three points?

We kept battering away at them in the pouring rain and the home side only had a couple of forays into the Gs half and Steve had to be on his toes. Who would want to be a goalie in conditions like that. Just keeping warm and alert must have been a major achievement. The pitch was now suffering and one or two cards were issued.

With about ten minutes to go Will May took a deserved rest and Danilo Carvalho, made his first appearance for the Gs. He is quick. I saw him in the U23s last game. We got well into injury time and who knew how much the ref was going to add. The Gs kept knocking at the Reigate door and in one attempt the ball came off a defender’s hand and the referee pointed again to the spot. Mark stepped up again and had the nerve to hit the ball home hard and low to the same side as previously, the keeper getting a hand to it, but there was too much on it to be able to stop it bulging the back of the net. The Gs went wild on the pitch and in the dugout. 3-2 now to the Gs. You would have heard it in Godalming. What a turn around!

So, another great result against another one of the clubs in contention. Thanks to all the lads for putting on such a show of resilience to come back like that. It seemed unfair to keep them on the pitch to shake hands with the supporters who were there in surprising numbers, as is now customary. But I fancy they were all pretty pumped up at the time. I just remember that Will May’s teeth were chattering as he went down the line.

Onwards and upwards to Billingshurst in the Cup on Tuesday night.

COYG’s