Godalming Town 2 (2) v (0) Saltdean Utd – League

“Hail hath no fury like a Godalming Town scorned”.

This was a very welcome return to winning ways (and another three points) for the Gs who have been “a  little off” of their best form for the last couple of games. Relieving the nerves for the fans and management team alike headed by Jack Webb, I am sure.

With even Gs manager, Mo Sher consigned to the recently added to injury list, along with Jonny Miller, and Deji Alabi and Tayo still suspended, the Gs welcomed a couple of new faces to the starting line-up, in Keiran Campbell and Malachi Thomas.

So, we saw Stephen Douglas in goal and joining Rob Parrott and Elliot Creely as the centre back pair, were Alex Afful on the right and Malik Shittu on the left.

Deji Adeosun, Keiran Campbell and Captain Cameron Edwin in the middle. Was it a midfield triangle? I don’t know, but Mark Soares was wide on the right and Malachi Thomas on the left and Will May was in the number nine shirt. The bench comprised James Mariner, Ollie Mc Aleese, Louis Lindsay, James Frudd and returning from injury Sam Fernley.

Within the opening minutes we saw Cam swing a cross, come shot, from the left across the goal that  turned tantalisingly towards the far post, but just went wide with the keeper stranded.

The newcomers Kieran and Malachi were linking well with some first time passes in the build up and changing the direction of the ball from one wing to the other.

Only around fifteen minutes in, the sunshine disappeared and a squall arrived above Wey Court, which deposited a cloud of hail all over the pitch and turned it into a much more slippery surface in seconds.

Malachi drove a good ball across low to where Will May was lurking and he got a powerful shot away that went just beyond the upright. Saltdean took no time licking their wounds and went up the other end and looked threatening until their winger ran out of space and just lifted the ball into Dougie’s grateful hands.

It was then the energetic Malik who went through in the middle, but did not really get a great contact, but still made their keeper go full length to stop it and push it around the post for a corner.

The Gs won a free kick on the left, on the golf club side, attacking the road end, and Cam was involved in the build up, as was Malik, before playing to Malachi who attacked the goal and hit a strong low shot that found its way to the net at the near post. A deserved lead 1 – 0 now to the home side.

We then saw Malachi chase a dropping ball, just beyond the 6 yard box, and managed to get his foot to the ball first, but could only direct it just wide of the goal.

A great cross came in from the left again just above the heads and the visiting keeper came out bravely and jumped to catch it confidently. Then as the ball was cleared Alex went into the ref’s book for what looked a fairly innocent challenge, but the ref had his card out.  It was the same referee as at the Mileoak game recently.

The visiting keeper then was called upon to make another great save from a Mark Soares shot from some way out and win the Gs another corner.

Elliot picked up a card also for a cynical challenge near the dugouts. From the resulting free kick Steve had to come out and take the ball in the air with confidence.

The Gs were knocking at the visitor’s door again and demonstrated some good build up passing moves.

Just as the ref was warming his whistle for half time the Gs worked the ball from a clearance from Dougie across the pitch by the way of three super headers, which fed Mark Soares who made some space for himself before going for it with his right foot and drilled a great low shot home to give the Gs a two goal lead at the break. A very much better performance.

There were no changes at half time, and the Gs seemed to sit back a bit more for me. 

There was an opportunity for Mark when the visiting keeper fluffed his clearance and Mark collected the ball and tried to catch him out, but he managed to scamper back in goal in time, just.

Malik put in a great run from defence in front of the stand, before being pulled down from behind as he out stripped defenders. A yellow to them.

Malachi then was shown a yellow as he chose to put the ball in the net after the ref had responded with a whistle after the linesman’s flag went up for offside.

Sam Fernley came on to replace Alex Afful, as he was on a card. Great to see Sam back on the pitch.

Malik was taken out a second time breaking along the wing. Another card.

Then Steve was called upon again to be quick to cover a break into his penalty box.

Mark then suffered what looked like a lower back problem in a tackle and went off to be replaced by Fruddy.

 The energy seemed to be slipping away from the GS . Louis came on for Malachi.

Dougie had to cover another speculative shot with a good dive to clear the ball as the game started to drag towards the conclusion.

A great response from the Gs, hence the misquote at the top of the page. It is essential that the Gs keep-up the pressure at the top of the League rather than having to wait for others to make mistakes.

On to Tuesday when we are the away side, but at Wey Court, but pretending to be at Uckfield, who are having floodlight problems. Remember floodlight problems?

COYG’s