Post by hendo on Oct 28, 2019 9:16:29 GMT
AFC Hayes v Godalming
With Graham absent, presumably performing some Mafia commitment in Sicily, I was made an offer I couldn’t refuse so will attempt to describe the events in Hayes as best I can, having made no notes and possessing the memory of a goldfish with Alzheimers.
The Godalming side had a few changes from Triumphant Tuesday with Adrian Giles in goal again, fronted by Dom Hardisty, Rasain Francis, Richie Mbele, Rory Sellick, Reegan Scotcher, Ryan Da Silva, Elijah Carter, Darren Wheeler, Jordan Cavender and Donte Lodge-Francis. Charlie Chennell constantly shuffled up and down the bench, trying to make it look like we had more than one sub.
Fingers crossed that the flying Reece Weeks will be back with us full time, if sufficient paperwork and physical coercion can be applied. Regarding the other players, as we try and settle ourselves down after a tricky managerial week, Ben had already made himself unavailable for this date, I don’t know where Curtis was, Francis is still injured and rumour suggests that Kenny might be being sniffed at by a higher level club ..or not. I don’t know. Anyway….
Traffic was impossible, everyone was later than planned, but full marks to the referee and the Hayes groundsman for allowing the game to proceed despite the filthy weather.
Notwithstanding the obstacles, both natural and man-made, the G Army turned out in force yet again, outnumbering the home support.
One end of the pitch was completely carpeted with autumn leaves which made for an attractive sylvan scene although made passing on the deck a complete lottery.
In fact, the heaviness of the ground worked against both sides, making timing a pass or shot extremely tricky.
If I wasn’t biased, I’d have said the Hayes missed quite a few chances to score in the first half because the ball was slowed or stuck in the mud.
However, I am biased, so that didn’t happen.
Despite the conditions, New Godalming attempted to play their lightning quick style of football with Ryan performing really well and Darren carrying on his blistering run of form, feeding the front runners with laser accurate passes.
Both keepers had fantastic games, the 17-year-old Hayes No 1 producing an extraordinary save to tip over a Richie (I think) shot on the stroke of half time. So, we went in at halftime 0-0.
After the break, Hayes managed to score, apologies but I can’t remember what happened, except that, as a result, we were then losing. 15 minutes on, Elijah was replaced by Charlie and three minutes later Richie Mbele slammed home a beauty into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
On 75 minutes, Hayes went up 2-1, again by doing something at the far end of the field in the rain which I can’t (or refuse to) remember.
Then came the turning point of the game on 77 minutes. Gs were pushing hard for the equaliser and Darren (I think) put through the galloping Donte who brilliantly left defenders in his wake. His powerful shot on the run would usually have resulted in a goal, but the Hayes wunderkind made a world-class save, the ball then ricocheting far back up the pitch where it was latched onto by the Hayes forwards who immediately scored to make it 3-1.
Oh the perverse Gods of football! How they tempt and tease us.
After that, the only thing to mention was the Hayes No15 received a straight red card for having a pop at Darren.
So, that was that. The conditions played against our style of play but even so, every Godalming supporter left with head held high …or, in my case, crouched under an umbrella.
I have no wonderful Michael Stats and have no idea whether Bovril was up to snuff, but Giles discovered that there was no hot food so was forced to dine on two packs of crisps.
With Graham absent, presumably performing some Mafia commitment in Sicily, I was made an offer I couldn’t refuse so will attempt to describe the events in Hayes as best I can, having made no notes and possessing the memory of a goldfish with Alzheimers.
The Godalming side had a few changes from Triumphant Tuesday with Adrian Giles in goal again, fronted by Dom Hardisty, Rasain Francis, Richie Mbele, Rory Sellick, Reegan Scotcher, Ryan Da Silva, Elijah Carter, Darren Wheeler, Jordan Cavender and Donte Lodge-Francis. Charlie Chennell constantly shuffled up and down the bench, trying to make it look like we had more than one sub.
Fingers crossed that the flying Reece Weeks will be back with us full time, if sufficient paperwork and physical coercion can be applied. Regarding the other players, as we try and settle ourselves down after a tricky managerial week, Ben had already made himself unavailable for this date, I don’t know where Curtis was, Francis is still injured and rumour suggests that Kenny might be being sniffed at by a higher level club ..or not. I don’t know. Anyway….
Traffic was impossible, everyone was later than planned, but full marks to the referee and the Hayes groundsman for allowing the game to proceed despite the filthy weather.
Notwithstanding the obstacles, both natural and man-made, the G Army turned out in force yet again, outnumbering the home support.
One end of the pitch was completely carpeted with autumn leaves which made for an attractive sylvan scene although made passing on the deck a complete lottery.
In fact, the heaviness of the ground worked against both sides, making timing a pass or shot extremely tricky.
If I wasn’t biased, I’d have said the Hayes missed quite a few chances to score in the first half because the ball was slowed or stuck in the mud.
However, I am biased, so that didn’t happen.
Despite the conditions, New Godalming attempted to play their lightning quick style of football with Ryan performing really well and Darren carrying on his blistering run of form, feeding the front runners with laser accurate passes.
Both keepers had fantastic games, the 17-year-old Hayes No 1 producing an extraordinary save to tip over a Richie (I think) shot on the stroke of half time. So, we went in at halftime 0-0.
After the break, Hayes managed to score, apologies but I can’t remember what happened, except that, as a result, we were then losing. 15 minutes on, Elijah was replaced by Charlie and three minutes later Richie Mbele slammed home a beauty into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
On 75 minutes, Hayes went up 2-1, again by doing something at the far end of the field in the rain which I can’t (or refuse to) remember.
Then came the turning point of the game on 77 minutes. Gs were pushing hard for the equaliser and Darren (I think) put through the galloping Donte who brilliantly left defenders in his wake. His powerful shot on the run would usually have resulted in a goal, but the Hayes wunderkind made a world-class save, the ball then ricocheting far back up the pitch where it was latched onto by the Hayes forwards who immediately scored to make it 3-1.
Oh the perverse Gods of football! How they tempt and tease us.
After that, the only thing to mention was the Hayes No15 received a straight red card for having a pop at Darren.
So, that was that. The conditions played against our style of play but even so, every Godalming supporter left with head held high …or, in my case, crouched under an umbrella.
I have no wonderful Michael Stats and have no idea whether Bovril was up to snuff, but Giles discovered that there was no hot food so was forced to dine on two packs of crisps.