Selsey 0 (0) v (2) 6 Godalming Town – League

Take a while to look at that score line. Take it in.  When did the Gs last post a 6 -0 victory? That is a question for Ed Stubbs, Jeff Brooks and the other statisticians amongst the Gs faithful.

It sounds like a complete trouncing, but, in fact the Selsey squad gave Stephen Douglas a bit of a work out in the first 30 minutes and were looking dangerous on the break. But both first half goals however were a delight to see and the Gs were set for a tremendous second half.

It was great to see that the pitch, as usual at Selsey, was in pretty good shape when we arrived, so compliments to their ground staff. There was more rain in the forecast.

From last weeks line up we have further changes as Alex Afful was unavailable.  Sam Fernley we understand picked up an injury and may be out for a few weeks. So quite a few missing.

So, Stephen Douglas was in goal, Malik Shittu was at the right back position alongside centre backs Rob Parrott and Elliott Creely, while Elroy Wealthyland made up the back four. James Mariner was in front as usual, with Deji Adeosun in the middle along with Cameron Edwin. Tayo Adekoya was leading the attack with Louis Lindsay out on the left and Mark Soares on the right.

The bench comprised Deji Alabi ,Will May, Joe Moriarty and a very warm welcome back to two new signings, but old faces, in Luca Scannella and James Frudd. A few seasons since we saw either of them in Gs shirts, but good to see.

It was cold wet and windy as the game kicked off.

The Gs went straight on the attack and played some decent passes in approach without getting any meaningful shots in on goal. But the home side went on the attack after about 10 minutes or so and Dougie needed to push a shot over the bar. From the ensuing corner the Gs did not clear completely and Dougie again needed to be quick to get down to the shot.

Almost immediately after that Stephen got himself an assist as he cleared the ball with a mighty kick well into the opposite half, which a home defender managed to miss completely under the attentions of Cam and Tayo. Tayo won the ball and bore down on goal near the corner of the penalty area on the Gs left flank, when he unleashed a great low shot past the keeper and inside the far post. A terrific finish.

The Gs were putting together some really classy passing moves involving all the midfield and forwards as they linked up We have seen this before on occasions and I hope we see plenty more.

Elroy was then yellow carded for what looked like a shirt pull to me. Clear enough that he did it, but it is something we see regularly go unpunished and a bit harsh I though as a first offence. However that told us the ref was going to penalise anything. He also then carded Louis apparently for a high kick that was around waist high.

 Then the yellow card was out for a Selsey player for a tackle on Elroy.

Then at about the half-hour mark we had another display of some super passing between the Gs into spaces with Deji, Mark, Cam and Tayo all involved. Then Tayo, I think it was, laid the ball off beautifully to Mark who was at the right hand corner of the penalty box, where he just picked his spot and hit a thumping shot that the home keeper had no chance of stopping. I remember the dejected faces of the home defenders on seeing that go in. 2 -0 now for the Gs. Looking comfortable now.

Then another yellow card for a Selsey player.

Cam was then brought down by the home number 5 causing the ref to give him a second yellow card and the ref pointed to the dressing room.

With half time approaching, a guy introduced himself to me as an Arundel supporter and commented that from what he had seen the Gs were playing the best football that he had seen at this level from any side. A nice comment for the lads. They did look good.

Not long into the second half the Gs got a penalty award for Cam being taken down. The referee was not in the good books of the home players as they crowded around him. Mark took the penalty and smashed it home. 3-0 now.

It seems the Selsey keeper must have said something untoward to the ref as he was told to go to the sin bin. Something that I have not seen for a goalkeeper. With that Mo made the first substitutions resting Tayo and Elroy, as both carded one assumes, bringing on Will and Luca as replacements. 3 – 0 now.

Against ten men we have sometimes struggled, but not this time and a fourth goal came soon after. A good attack down the left saw Louis put in a powerful shot that took a deflection well past the stand in keeper above his head. 4 – 0 now

 Cam was carded and he was also subbed off for Deji Alabi to come on.

The home number 6 got a yellow card.

Fruddy came on to assist in the attack and as he tore in from the left he hit a great shot low past the keeper to make it 5 for the Gs and his first on his return for the GTFC.

The referee then asked for some gentlemen in blue jackets to be removed from the sidelines, presumably for comments that they were making towards him. Not something we want to see at football matches

Luca made a great cross into the box, but Will’s header was a good contact but did not find the target.

Mark tried an audacious high lob shot from miles out when he spotted the Selsey keeper had travelled well away from his goal. I fancy it might well have found the net, if it was not for the strong headwind that seemed to hold it up

If one goal was not enough for Fruddy he netted again after a fine cross was delivered in by Mark from the left hand side and Will got up beautifully again to head the ball back across the goal, where Fruddy was on hand to help it in.  6 – 0  at the finish.

A very good result for the Gs and a statement if one was needed that they are back in winning ways. Let us be clear Selsey are not at the bottom of the League, it was a big win. It was another great team performance, with all the subs playing an important part in the result and that has to be down to the lads themselves and also to Mo and his team who have done a fantastic job.

But, there can be no let up for the Gs. Nothing as far as the League is concerned is certain. So we need to be up for the challenges to come and take each game one at a time.

Do come and support the lads when you can to encourage them on the push to stay at the top of the League. They appreciate it.

Uckfield on Tuesday night. 7.30pm KO.

 COYGs