AFC Uckfield 0 (0) v (0) 3 Godalming Town – League

Three second-half goals saw Godalming Town climb back to the top of the Southern Combination Division One table with a 3-0 victory over AFC Uckfield Town, as the Gs secured back-to-back victories for the first time since November.

Technically an away fixture, the match was played at Wey Court due to recent pitch and floodlight issues at the Oakmen’s ground which saw this game postponed twice previously. The win saw Godalming move two points clear of Infinity at the summit and the Gs have now played the same number of games, setting up what will likely be a tense and exciting end to the season, with Worthing United still in the title race as well.

The first half was relatively even, with decent endeavour but little quality or clear-cut chances, but Godalming ran clear in the second 45, displaying encouraging energy levels and finishing.

The same eleven that saw off Saltdean United on Saturday were tasked with taking down AFC Uckfield who, despite their lowly position second from bottom, had been in solid recent form, losing only one of their previous seven games following a recent managerial change. Indeed, only one player in their matchday 16 was in the squad when Godalming won the reverse fixture 4-0 back in September.

The Gs started the game eagerly and had genuine cause for aggrievement at not being awarded a fourth-minute penalty when Ed Dyer clattered Will May inside the box. However, it soon became clear that this was a far different Uckfield side to that September game, and they moved the ball around neatly and were strong in the tackle. In the 14th minute, a long ball from Kristian Campbell saw the lively Edd Mbango in, but Rob Parrott got across the block the shot which ended up safely in the gloves of Stephen Douglas.

At the other end, an audacious 40-yard lob from Kieran Campbell dropped over the bar for the Gs, before Harry Mark played in Nile Waite who sliced narrowly wide for the Oakmen. Cam Edwin had a couple of efforts as half-time approached, but the biggest talking point before the break was May being taken off with a hamstring injury, perhaps ruling him out of the upcoming Easter double-header.

Godalming started the second half livelier and in the 49th minute Malik Shittu saw a shot bobble wide after a Malachi Thomas corner wasn’t dealt with by Uckfield. Three minutes later, however, the Gs made the all-important breakthrough. A free-kick from Thomas was lofted in to Soares on the far side of the penalty area, and the forward did well to control the ball and cross low into the six-yard box. Edwin pounced, but was denied by an excellent Alex Harris save, only for Elliott Creely to stab home from close range. The defender is surely a strong candidate for player of the season and this strike – his fifth goal of the campaign – allowed Gs fans to emit a collective sigh of relief.

Godalming’s tails were up, and 10 minutes later it as 2-0. A clever ball from Thomas down the left side was met by the onrushing Shittu who, having sprinted into the box, produced a deft first-time finish to fire across Harris and into the bottom corner – the full-back’s fourth goal of the season.

By now, the Gs looked the sharpest they have for a few games and it felt like another goal was inevitable. Good pressing by Adekayo down the right culminated in a Soares effort deflecting wide, though Godalming had Douglas to thank for keeping it 2-0 when the ‘keeper made a fantastic save to deny Mbango with 10 minutes remaining.

In the 84th minute, though, it was three. Adekayo raced onto a weighted Soares through-ball, and he outpaced Joe Atkin before finishing clinically beyond Harris – goal number 11 for the forward since joining the Gs in October.

The rest of the game petered out with little event. This marks a good win against a handy side and makes it two victories on the spin for Godalming, who will be aiming to make it three in a row when Oakwood visit Wey Court on Saturday 4 April. A tricky trip to play-off chasing AFC Walcountians follows on Easter Monday, as the Southern Combination Division One title reaches what looks to be a dramatic culmination.

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