Godalming Town 1 (0) v (2) 3 Dorkinians – Surrey Premier Cup
Played 3, Lost 3, read the record of Godalming Town’s results since 2019 against Nottsborough and Dorkinians from the top division of the Southern Amateur League. We should know what to expect from them by now, plenty of passing football, lots of banter and encouragement and being ‘in yer face’ but after 6 years, whatever the make-up of our team, we have never coped against either of them nor with the Army for that matter. No different after this game unfortunately as we went Played 4, Lost 4 and the excuse, like a fortnight ago, that it is a Wednesday won’t wash either.
Steve Douglas was unavailable for this one and his place in goal went to Oliver Kabeer brought in from the Woking Academy set up. A warm welcome, Oliver. Nana Afful, Joe Moriarty, Elliot Creely and Malik Shittu formed the back line with the Captain, James Mariner, in front of them. Still no Mark Soares for this one, and let’s be honest there are bigger games to come, so Deji Alabi, Deji Adeosun, Cam Edwin and Jonny Miller formed a midfield behind Tayo Adekoya. On the bench Ollie McAleese was able to return for the first time this season and was joined by Will May, Ali Haddadji, Louis Lindsay and Elroy Wealthyland. Best wishes also to Richard Keown, the voice of the management team, who has been unwell.
It wasn’t a pleasant evening weather-wise with a strong wind from the Road end which the Gees attacked in the first half, fortunately the promised heavy rain held off for the duration of the match though. Dorkinians won a few early free kicks, each greeted enthusiastically by their players with lots of chest thumping and talk of ‘next phase’ and the ‘next job’. All this boiled over into a first bout of handbags on 11 minutes over the award of a free kick to Godalming and ended with the first of four bookings for the visitors. Credit throughout the match to the young referee, Eros Frangiamore, who I thought handled the game well. Malik set up Jonny Miller for a cross which was cleared but Godalming weren’t otherwise imposing themselves on the game and at the other end Elliot Creely had to be on hand to tidy up a 3-man Dorkinian attack.
Tayo was upended on the halfway line and as he got up was probably as surprised as the spectators to find the opposition keeper standing over him and remonstrating with the officials. On 23 minutes the Gees went behind when Oliver’s clearance went straight to a Dorkinian and they attacked. The first shot was saved but fell kindly enough to be dispatched back into the net, a well taken goal from some 20 plus yards out. On the half hour more handbags eventually saw three yellow cards, two for the Dorking keeper and an outfielder and one for our own Cam. With 5 minutes remaining until half time, Dorkinians scored again as a run into and along our left-hand goal line was only partially cleared for the ball to be hit back into the net, a very similar finish to the first goal. The Gees managed to win their first corner before the whistle but went in 2-0 down.
Jonny Miller had moved over to the right side in the last 10 minutes of the first half, and he continued there with the same 10 teammates as the second half commenced. Cam immediately won a free kick and things looked a tad livelier as the opening minutes progressed. Cam, Jonny, Tayo and Deji Adeosun combined well but the end result came to nothing, and the Dorkinian keeper was first to Jonny Miller’s effort having been played in by Deji Alabi. The game hit the 60 minutes mark and with it the first substitutions for Godalming. Off came Mazza, Malik and Deji Adeosun to be replaced by Ali Haddadji, Will May and the welcome sight of Ollie McAleese.
Unfortunately, Ollie’s return lasted but a few minutes. He was straight into the action up in their box after Tayo had won Godalming a corner. Ollie was in the midst of it as Deji’s kick came over but was clearly struggling after he hit the ground. Going down again in the centre circle on the way back down field, he was clearly unable to continue, and Elroy took his place at left back. It’s a big blow for him and for the team after the time he has spent out already this season – here’s to a speedy return, Ollie.
The Gees’ revival wasn’t bearing any fruit sadly and the game was effectively settled on 70 minutes when very uncharacteristically the bounce of the ball caught Elliot out and another cool finish from Dorkinians left Oliver in goal no chance to prevent a 3-0 scoreline. A vigorous tackle from Will May, he saw yellow for it, sent the handbags flying again for the final time and with 7 minutes remaining Louis Lindsay replaced Jonny Miller. It wasn’t quite all over, Tayo Adekoya had ploughed a lone furrow up front all night and on 87 minutes picked up a pass, headed for goal and was taken out in the area. A penalty was rightly given which Tayo took and dispatched away powerfully to make it, and the final score, 3-1 to the visitors.
I won’t dwell on this game apart from making mention that the Internet tells us that had we won we would play Nottsborough in the next round.
Let us end instead on a very positive note. The final game of 2025 is next up at home to AFC Walcountians, 3.00pm on Saturday December 27th and although our fixture list has gone from two games a week to what seems like 3 a month now, whatever occurs in the next two weeks we shall be top of the league into 2026. We all know what to wish for from Santa for this year.
Seasons greetings to you all.
COYG’s