Redhill 4 (4) v (0) 0 Godalming Town – League

After the excitement of the win on Tuesday (and the first three points of this year’s campaign) we received the news that Mark Soares, who has been such an important player for the Gs, in the last two and a half years was leaving the club. A big blow. But Mo Sher must be complemented for keeping him on the books for so long. He brought us some wonderful goals and a great competitive energy’ working hard all over the pitch. I am sure that we all wish him well for the future.

Stephen Douglas was between the sticks. Alex Afful, Marcus Vinter, Elliot Creely and Jonny Miller across the back. Jav Waugh screening, Cam Edwin (c) and Deji Alabi in the engine room. Up top: Coby Acquaye, with Nathan Best and new boy Lewis Pearch stretching the flanks. Welcome to the Gs, Lewis – hope you like a scrap.

Bench: Ronnie Reeves, Mohammed el Azouan, Shane Johnson, Conor Stillwell and Declan Joyce.

From the first whistle the Gs came flying out. An early corner caused problems for the Lobsters who struggled to clear it. The ball finally dropped for Coby, who whipped a beautiful curling effort towards the goal only for the home keeper to claw it out of the air.

Moments later Nathan was in space and let go an attempt from distance. But he did not really get hold of it.

Then, out of nowhere, the sucker punch. Redhill’s first real attack ended with a speculative long-range strike. Dougie looked to have it covered… until the ball squirmed under his body and nestled in the net. One of those that happens sometimes, even in the Premier League. 1-0 down inside a few minutes.

Restart, and Deji immediately answered with a curling effort that just drifted wide. The Gs kept coming. Coby and Lewis combined down the right, the ball was whipped right across the six-yard box but nobody there to apply the final touch.

Jonny Miller surged forward and delivered a dangerous ball across the face of goal. Pearch rose and nodded it back across and agonisingly past the far post.

The Redhill pitch was bone-dry, dust rising with every challenge. Perhaps there is a little more grass on the pitch at Wey Court.

Still the Gs pressed. Then, in the 22nd minute, the second dagger. Redhill worked it neatly down the right, a slick interchange, and a shot from a tight angle nestled inside the far post. A proper goal. A cracker 2-0 to the home side.

A Gs corner saw Jav climb highest beyond the far post and head it back into the danger zone, only for the home defence to clear. Redhill almost made it three when a shot cannoned off the upright and away. But the third arrived soon enough – a low cross from the left, an easy tap-in at the far post. 3-0.

Worse followed. A defensive lapse on the edge of the box gifted possession; a simple cross, another simple finish. 4-0 after just 36 minutes.

Five minutes before the break a change in tactics:  Conor, Mohammed and Ronnie on for Jav, Deji and Nathan.

Half-time thoughts? To me it had the feel of that Virginia Water game – more possession, more corners, more promising moments for the Gs, yet clinically punished every single time the opposition got within sight of the penalty area.

The second half was a different story.

Ronnie and Coby began linking beautifully. Lewis tore down the right and delivered another teasing ball across the face of goal – again, no Gs boot to turn it in.

Jonny Miller was bombing on at left-back, the corners kept coming, the pressure was on but the final touch stayed elusive. The well drilled home defence seemed to soak up all the pressure.

One moment of pure frustration part 1: The referee opted for a free-kick right on the edge of the home box after a long chat with his assistant (many of us were convinced it was a penalty) Part 2 the ref got in the way of the pass from the free-kick and then awarded a dropped ball to the home side.

Coby was a constant menace – pace, power, close control – yet even he couldn’t quite find the perfect connection when space opened up. He did force a smart parry from the keeper with a fierce drive, and Lewis rose to meet the follow-up cross, but headed wide.

Declan replaced the hard-working Jonny.

A right-wing throw, Ronnie nodded on, Coby let fly… just over.

Mohammed drove through the middle, slipped it to Coby, out to Lewis… another dangerous delivery. But it came to nought.

And the lasting image: Cam Edwin launching himself full-length, horizontally at a left-wing cross, getting not quite enough contact. Typical Cam, leaves nothing in the tank.

A much, much better second half. Endless effort. Real chances. Real belief. But no consolation goal.

The Gs deserved something for their second-half fight. On another day, one or two of those openings would go in and the whole story changes.  

We have some exciting new players in the squad and with a bit of time they should gel.

We go again next Saturday against Corinthian Casuals at home.

COYGs