Guildford City 3 (1) v (0) 1 Godalming Town – Southern Combination Cup
There was a time when midweek games were played like this one, on a Wednesday with a 7.30pm kickoff. That seemed to change around the late 1990s – early 2000s and with it Wednesday football, unless in Europe, became a rare event. The lure of the Southern Combination Cup did nothing to bring those days back. By my reckoning the numbers between the winning raffle ticket and the numbers printed on mine were greater than the number that turned up to watch.
It’s been nearly seven years since I’ve paid a visit to the Spectrum and two cataract ops later it’s still a long way to the near, never mind the far, touchline. In other words, some of what’s coming up might be wrong. Given the number of cup competitions that abound, Godalming also hadn’t appeared in this competition since 2018-19. That was a 6-0 defeat at home to Molesey, so let’s use the word ‘appeared’ loosely and take this result as an improvement. Back in those days we’d all probably barely heard of a Sussex league also called The Southern Combination let alone thought we’d be some day playing in it. Confusingly, they have nothing to do with this Cup which falls under the Surrey FA’s remit.
The starting 11 were; Steve Douglas in goal, Nana Afful, Eliott Creely, Joe Moriarty and Elroy Weathlyland in defence. James Mariner (Captain) was in front of them with Jonny Miller, the two Dejis, Adeosun and Alabi, and Ali Haddadji in midfield and, last but not least, Will May up front. On the bench were Cam Edwin, Sam Fernley, Tayo Adekoya, Danillo Carvalho and Louis Lindsay.
At times the first half resembled a pre-season friendly rather than a competitive match, and not at all a local derby. For the first 35 minutes Godalming shaded the game, Will May was narrowly beaten to a through ball by the keeper and got a touch on a Deji Adeosun free kick, the ball going just over the bar. The two of them combined with Jonny Miller and as Deji took the final return to the touchline his cross was cut out by the keeper. Guildford won two corners which were easily dealt with, and a free kick was fired straight at Steve in goal. Mazza took a knock, was down for some time but was able to continue. A ball sent over by Ali Haddadji from a tight angle on the right skimmed the crossbar but that was the nearest the Gees were to come to scoring. On 37 minutes a 2nd attempt by Nana to dispossess an opponent gave away a penalty which was converted. Into added time in the half the Guildford number 10 somehow evaded 4 challenges to be left with only Steve Douglas to beat. Steve was down at his feet pulling off a great stop to keep the score at 1-0 to the hosts at the break.
The finishing 11 resumed for the second half. We have become accustomed this season to storming back into games particularly after the half time words of wisdom or is it the tea? But, inexplicably, this didn’t happen here. A corner was conceded almost straight from the start and for the next few minutes Guildford looked to have the run of the park in front of Steve who kept the Gees in the game with a string of saves. The ball didn’t cross over halfway into Guildford territory in the first 7 minutes of the half, and not again until with 58 minutes on the clock, when a poorly sliced defensive clearance from a cross by Nana gave Godalming their first corner of the half.
Clean Yellow shirts started appearing around the Godalming bench and we all focused on trying to pick out who was who. The Home announcer got lost too and asked for the numbers board to go up again. When it had all settled down at the 64-minute mark it was a quadruple change. On came – All of the bench bar Cam Edwin – and off went – Nana, Will, Deji (Alabi) and Mazza. Despite the changes the home side then fluffed a golden chance with 3 against 1 as one of the three strayed offside. Unfortunately, Louis Lindsay had to be replaced after spending less than 5 minutes on the park, Cam coming on to take Louis’ place, and the armband from Deji, to be the 3rd skipper on the night.
A Guildford player saw yellow for a challenge of Tayo but then it all fell apart as Godalming conceded two very similar goals both from attacks down the left flank in the 73rd and 75 minutes. It really didn’t look like we were going to get back into this one despite a brief rally in the latter stages and a fine strike by Tayo to pull one back with 3 minutes to play. That goal was to be our only attempt on target in the half. Final score 3-1.
A very disappointing night, so let’s move on to the league match on Saturday. You know both the opposition, and where it’s being played well enough by now – it’s Copthorne at Horsham FC, 3.00pm.
The last word on the night goes to President Dave Allen as we left the game. ‘At least we won the real Cup this season – The Bill Kyte one’.
COYG’s