Metropolitan Police 2 (0) v (1) 2 Godalming Town – League

I think everyone of the Gs supporters who were at the game would agree that this was a point well earned and deserved. A much improved performance from last Saturday. Despite the Gs being two nil up in the early part of the second half they could not take all three points. Had they managed to hang on to he lead they would have been catapulted up to the dizzy heights of mid-table. 

OK the temperature had dropped from mid 30s to 28 deg C, but that is still crazy weather for football in my book.

The Gs were missing Mal Thomas and Deji Adeosun from the starting line up, along with Rob Parrott who is likely to be a long term casualty (MCL injury) and was showing off his knee brace to everyone, Jack Sherwood, who I am told is back in training, and captain Cam Edwin of course, who is still suspended. So, some very big names missing.

But, we also saw some new names on the squad sheet, which featured George Douglas, who impressed in the pre seasons, back in goal. Alex Afful, wearing the captain’s armband, Elliot Creely and Evan Kelly as the centre back pairing alongside Sam Fernley in the back four. Conor Stillwell getting a start after such a long time out injured,  Kiye Martin (welcome to the Gs Kiye), and Jonny Miller. Up front was Daniel Boyden and wide players Mark Soares and another new name David Barrie-Diaz, welcome David. I had the pleasure of sitting with his brother throughout the game. On the bench were Steve Douglas, Deji Alabi, Jav Waugh, Shane Johnson and Marlon Pinder.

It was also noted that the pitch was very green and we got a demonstration of the under pitch watering system at half time, that managed to soak one of the linesman, as he was walking across the pitch, when the spray heads suddenly popped up and blasted water impressively. Oh for such a luxury at Wey Court.

The start was pretty good for the Gs as they pressurised their hosts. An early attack involving Dan Boyden saw Jonny Miller try to get a long range shot over the home keeper from range, but just had a touch too much on it, as it went just over the bar.

Then after only 16 minutes we saw Jonny go down and as soon as Steve (Phys) got to him, he signalled that he would not continue. Such a shame for Jonny as he was having a big influence on the game with some lovely quick deliveries out to the wide players. He said after the game it was a ham string pull, so hopefully he will be back in business in a few weeks. The new slim line Deji Alabi came on to replace Jonny.

Not long after that we saw a break from the home side, on the Gs left, and the resulting shot was spectacularly saved by George, as he went down and managed to stick out a leg to divert the ball round for a corner.

I have to say that Elliot and Evan were catching the eye as they managed to sweep up any problems that came their way. We have seen how good Elliott is over the last season and Evan is impressing every game.

David was finding space in the wide areas, as was Mark. It paid off when after some good work down the right hand flank Mark managed to get the ball on his left foot and delivered a superb curling ball just above the heads, into the far side of the 6 yard box area, where both Elliot and David were waiting and it was David who got his head to the ball to put it past the Met. Police keeper. First goal for the Gs since they were promoted to this League, and a first of course for David.

With only minutes to go before half time, we saw another Gs attack down the left with Dan Boyden able to get the ball in from the left across the face of the goal, but the Gs could not convert.

Minutes later Dan was in the action again when he delivered a great shot that the home keeper had to parry, the ball eventually falling to Mark, who got a shot in, but it went wide of the near post.

So, we went into half time 1 -0 up.

 At the start of the second half Jav came on for Conor, who had done well after such a long time out injured. But said afterwards that he was suffering.

Early in the second half we saw a great corner delivered in by Mark to the far post where Evan got up to knock the ball back in from beyond the far post. The Met. defence did not properly clear the ball, which found Jav and he took his chance well by just hammering it in from close range. Jav’s first for the Gs. The Gs now 2-0 up and comfortable. A great feeling.

David went into the referee’s book after an over zealous tackle that stopped the home side breaking into the Gs half.

 But the home side won a corner on their right soon after and delivered a straightforward ball that was not well defended by the Gs and they pulled a goal back from the head of one of their defenders. Now 1- 2.

 Yellow card for a Met. Player for a late tackle on David.

The Gs won another free kick that was set-up by Deji for Mark to hit a shot from 30 metres, or so, but this effort went past the far upright.

 Home side won a free kick 10 metres outside the Gs penalty area and George was once again the saviour as he flew to touch the ball wide spectacularly as it looked like the ball might find the top right corner.

Another free kick to the home side minutes later in a similar area appeared to find it’s way through or around the Gs defensive wall and, despite George getting across and down he could not stop it ending in the net, just inside the far post. 2 -2 now.

 Kiye substituted after a good performance, for Shane Johnson to come on and take the number nine position. Deji moving deeper. A positive move looking for the winner.

 A couple of players went down with cramp including Mark who was helped off the pitch after treatment.

Marlon came on at the end to replace Dan, who had run miles.

In the final minutes play was getting frantic with both sides suffering from cramp and the heat.

Gs came close again with a shot that rattled the upright of the home team’s goal from Jav, I think  the ball was not cleared and was deflected across the goal where Mark got a header in, but just wide of the target.

A long clearance from George found Shane chasing down the ball, as the home keeper came out, but Shane got his head to it first and it bounced tantalisingly towards the net, but just missed the target when we thought it would go in. Probably as well as the lino flagged for an offence that I did not see.

It would have been great if we could have taken all three points, but it was not to be. As the ref blew for full time minutes later. First points in this League on the board. First points on the board and two goals scored, so things to be pleased about. But more work to do.

 Onwards to Tuesday’s visit to Badshot Lea under lights and then next Saturday’s game against Eversley and California at home.

COYGs