Godalming Town 0 (0) v (0) 0 AFC Walcountians – League

An unusual goalless draw was the last fixture in 2025 for the Gs and it attracted a healthy crowd of just under 200, on a really cold day, such is the interest that the Gs have generated this season. It was great that the local supporters are showing up to try to give the lads that extra boost through this exciting season. Hope all of you enjoyed the festive break as much as I did. My apologies for the lateness of this report, but my grandchildren and family had other ideas for me over the Christmas break. Tremendous fun. Happy New Year to all supporters.

The Gs squad was still without Mark Soares, still injured, but hopefully well on the way to recovery we are told. So, it was the talented Jonny Miller starting wide on one side, opposite Tayo Adekoya on the other, with Will May in the number nine shirt and Cameron Edwin in the number ten position. Sam Fernley, the Gs November player of the month and Deji Adeosun in the middle, in front of a back four of Alex Afful, Joe Moriarty, Elliott Creely and Malik Shittu and Stephen (Dougie) Douglas in between the sticks. The bench comprised James Mariner, Louis Lindsay, Deji Alabi, Elroy Wealthyland, and Ali Haddadji. So a strong squad despite still being without Rob Parrott, Shi Ndiulor, Ollie McAleese (likely to be a couple of weeks yet I was told) and Jack Sherwood, who may well be appearing soon. Watch this space.

To be honest, it was not the best of starts for the Gs, in that, to me they looked a bit rusty, perhaps as a result of the lack of games in the last few weeks (and nothing again this weekend). Rather strange after so many fixtures were being packed in earlier in the season. Someone in the FA must understand it.
It was one of those first halves in which the Gs had the upper hand in territory and possession, but although they created a few shots, things were not quite working. So, despite the pressure and several corners there was little for the fans to cheer about.

The visitors were behind in my book, with a nil nil scoreline at half-time and it seemed that the Oven Door’s chips were the highlight of the game, so far. Whilst the visitors so far had had no corners or serious shots at all, in the opening half, they looked well drilled and their goalkeeper and captain were absolutely commanding everything in his area. So, we looked to Mo and his team to give us some magic and another second half improvement, as they have in the past.

The same squad came out for the second half and certainly they looked sharper to me. Early on we saw Will May chase down a ball over the top of the Walcountian’s defence on the Gs right side and before it reached the goal line he pulled the ball across the front of the 6 yard box beautifully, where Tayo was rushing in. Their keeper was rushing out to foil him and the shot was seen to fly over the crossbar.
Only minutes later we saw Tayo this time latch on to a loose ball and again the visiting keeper was quick and brave in coming out at pace to foil him again lifting the ball from his feet at the edge of his area. Looking much more promising for the Gs.

The visiting keeper was far busier than Dougie, but there was always the risk of a breakaway when the Gs were getting players forward. I imagine he would have welcomed the opportunities to move around to keep himself warm. The Gs were getting the ball out to their wide players and delivering the ball in, but to no avail.Sam was then replaced by Deji Alabi, to bring a different approach to the Gs strategy.

The visitors then produced their best attempt from a break down their right, which was driven in early and low, behind the Gs defence, where Nana stretched to intercept the ball and for a moment it looked like he might put it past Steve, but fortunately the Gs keeper was able to show his worth and scramble the ball clear. Great reactions from Dougie.

The play was now opening up and could have gone either way, with the visitors looking to punish their hosts on the break. They were good at turning from defence into fast counter attacks. Nail biting time.
The ball then went to the other end of the pitch courtesy of a splendid run by Deji Adeosun who carried the ball past (and in some cases through) the Walcountian’s defenders spectacularly before he slipped the ball through to Tayo. We have seen him score with some spectacular deliveries in the past, but in this case once again the ball went the wrong side of the crossbar, from the edge of the area. Frustration again.
Deji Alalbi cut in from the left wing and tried to bend a shot inside the far post, but was thwarted by the visiting keeper.

The visitors had another chance from a breakaway, but they also managed to be off target with their attempt. Not many nails left now. Louis Lindsay came on in a swap with Jonny Miller.

Will May delivered a good low shot from way out on the left, that again the visiting keeper dealt with. Will was then taken out for me, near the halfway line, but the ref still was not for getting any cards out. He was letting a fair bit of physical stuff go on either side. Well, it was the festive season.

Deji’s 1 and 2 then linked, as Adeosun again advanced through the middle before providing for Alabi to chase the ball down to the right of the goal, which he did and played the ball in from a wide angle only for it to drop tantalisingly just over the crossbar. More frustration. Deji Adeosun was then subbed off for Ali to replace him and Malik came off for Elroy to join the fray at left back. Next Nana linked well with Will, chasing a through ball behind the visiting defence. Nana got to it and delivered, but again it dropped just behind the crossbar.

With the Gs attacking and throwing players forward in pushing for a winner it was leaving them more open to counter attacks. Steve had to be on his toes to cover anything played in behind the Gs defence. He was up to it. Then, I think it was Deji Alabi, delivering the ball from the left and we saw that Louis Lindsay had got in position a few metres out to nudge the ball with his head, but the Walcountian’s keeper went full stretch to tip it wide. What a finish that could have been. Another strong challenge, on Cameron this time, brought only a talking to from the ref.

Another near chance for the Gs when another cross came in from the left (from Elroy I think) this time into the 6 yard box where Deji Alabi stretched a leg, very close, but could not get the final touch to put the ball home. Despite more pressure from the home side, they could not take all three points. The visiting keeper took “Man of the Match” for me, as he dealt with everything in his area with the greatest confidence. So, you could say two points dropped, but with Infinity losing to Selsey, the Gs actually go a further point away from them. Onwards to the next game, away at Oakwood on Saturday 10th Jan weather permitting, before the Gs return to Wey Court for the next home encounter on Sat 17th Jan against Saltdean United.

COYG’s