Worthing Utd. 3 (2) v (1) 3 Godalming Town – League

To Worthing for the final game of what I think we can call a successful season. The sun shone and for the second week running the Division 1 Champions were very graciously given a Guard of Honour by their opponents as they took to the pitch. This was an important game for Worthing; a win would guarantee them home advantage in the playoffs. Godalming picking up points was important for me too because the fates have conspired this season and, prior to this match, every one of the four league defeats have been on my watch.

Unavailability and knocks saw a few changes to the Godalming line up. Cam Edwin dropped to the bench and Ollie McAleese wore the captain’s armband as he, in the centre of defence, and Conor Stillwell in midfield capped off their long recoveries from injury and made the starting eleven for the first time this season. Nana Afful, Elliot Creely and Malik Shittu completed the back four. Louis Lindsay and Elroy Wealthyland joined Conor in the midfield with Mark Soares and Jonny Miller on the right and left flanks respectively supporting James Frudd up front. Last and by no means least, Stephen Douglas was there again in goal. The Dejis, Adeosun and Alabi, and Will May joined Cam on a four man bench.

Our referee decided he wasn’t happy with the Godalming white away shirts clashing with the Worthing light blue and white stripes and so the home side found themselves bedecked in a garish combination of black and red shirts and light blue shorts. The Gees came out of the traps the faster of the two sides and Mark Soares had two great chances, the first created by Conor the second by Malik, but both shots flashed wide of the posts. Fruddy chased down a long ball from Dougie, but the Worthing keeper got down to the ball first. Against the initial run of the play Worthing won a corner which was dealt with comfortably. However, on Worthing’s second sortie forward Ollie McAleese went in for a challenge in the box and got up to find he had conceded a penalty. 17 minutes on the clock and one down, Dougie went the right way and was just shy of making the save. Worse was to come on 25 minutes when Worthing were allowed to break down our left flank, Dougie parried the first shot but the follow up was put way via the underside of the crossbar.

2-0, not good and not a reflection of the half so far. Louis Lindsay broke across the halfway line and was fouled, no play on and the free kick came with the first yellow card of the game awarded against the home side. Fruddy pulled one back on 35 minutes with a great finish having picked up a pass from Mark who pounced on some slack Worthing passing. Chasing down a ball from Louis, Malik was taken out enroute to goal, but Fruddy’s free kick hit the wall. 2-1 to Worthing at the break.

Both teams assembled on the pitch for the second half but there were no officials. They appeared eventually, but we didn’t kick off until 4.07! Godalming bossed the first 10 minutes and created a pair of half chances for Fruddy set up by Jonny then Louis. It took a great tackle from the home side to stop Jonny equalising after linking up again with Louis; and Louis was next to come close with a blistering effort that was turned away for our first corner of the match. 25 minutes remained and Mo produced a new tactic from his playbook, the Quadruple Substitution. On came all four from the bench to replace Conor, Elroy, Fruddy and Louis. Deji Alabi was first to try his luck, Will and Mark combining to set up a chance for him.

Steve ‘Fiz’ Snelling was called into action for the first time – to treat the Ref who went down with what looked like cramp. Game back on and Godalming were quickly back on terms; Mark Soares fed the ball to Will May on the right and a perfect ball in was met and buried into the net by Deji Alabi in the 6 yard box. Will was provider again in the next move when Mark was a foot or so high over the bar from Will’s cross. Deji Adeosun took a yellow ‘for the team’ and we then witnessed an almost 5 minute stoppage as the Referee reacted to a small outbreak of our old friend ‘handbags’ by consulting with both of his assistants, writing copious notes in his book and eventually booking a very upset Malik. What time would this game end? Certainly not before a superb save by Dougie at one end and, two minutes into added time, a third goal for Godalming from the boot of Jonny Miller who smacked in the proceeds of Mark’s great run and cross from the right bye line.

Considering how much advantage all three points would have given Worthing in the playoff this week it was surprising how long it took them to get into the second half. Even so ‘Little’ Deji should have wrapped it up when ‘that man Mark again’ set him up from Dougie’s drop kick but the shot somehow fizzled out in front of the grateful keeper. Mr Douglas was called on to make another fine save at the other end as the last few minutes were becoming a bit too end to end for comfort. 90 + 9 on the clock and a daft free kick was given away on the halfway line. Guess the rest, we haven’t conceded many, less than one a game in the league, but as the ball was thumped into the area there was a Worthing foot on the end of it to deliver their equaliser. 3-3.

Cue the final whistle and that was 2025-26 done and dusted. A not half bad season then. Mo summoned anyone remotely Godalmingly onto the pitch and we stood around the Championship trophy, which had spent the afternoon on the far side of the ground being both waved around and drunk from yet again. Mo delivered fulsome praise to everyone for the achievement this season. He forgot to mention himself so I, on behalf of us all will: Mo, One Big Thank You. A big thank you too to Matt and Jo, standing down as Chairman and Treasurer respectively after this season. Finally, we can’t leave this season without thoughts for Jane Phillips, who has been unable to join us these past few weeks, and of course for, Lisa Ballam.

COYGs