Post by greygraham on Dec 31, 2019 22:41:19 GMT
Very grateful to Dave Ewing who accepted a mission at short notice to do a write up on the Fleet Spurs game, as I was not feeling at all well. I guess he probably didn't feel that much better than me by full time. However, hope we will see a few more of the regular squad at The Bill Kyte Stadium this Saturday against Sandhurst.
Godalming 0 - 5 Fleet Spurs
No Christmas cracker here…
With Graham struck by festive lurgie, the editor sent in the reserve hack team of Michael and dad to cover this mid holiday fixture against Fleet Spurs. One look at the starting line-up revealed a mixture of regular players and a few surprise names Jordan Bird back from the wilderness, Jayden at no. 14 (his surname spelt differently on different lists so I won’t risk it) and at no. 12 a certain Dylan Bonner whose relationship with our manager inspired Chicory Tip to pen their only UK hit song in the early 70’s. No Rory Sellick, Reece Weeks or Ryan Villa.
It was clear from the outset that the Gees were up against a well-organised and physically strong team in Fleet Spurs. The Gees had most of the early play with a shot from Jayden going over the bar followed by a flurry of corners for the home side. The Fleet defence stood firm and they looked fast and incisive on the odd break they created. One of these breaks drew a foul outside the Gees box. The tall danger man - no..11 Andre Smith - struck the ball low under the wall. His shot was partially blocked by Adrian Giles only to bounce in the back of the net off the post.
The first half continued with the Gees still having more of the ball but lacking the speed and creativity to break through the Fleet defence. The squad did not quite gel and passes were misdirected or intended runs misread. However Fleet were getting the wrong side of our rather flustered ref and a few yellow cards were waiving about. The Gees got a foul outside the box but on the left. Darren stepped up and launched a fabulous free kick that went over the defence and dipped plum into the Fleet crossbar. The ball went skyward and fell down on the crossbar once again. So close… First half ended Fleet 1-0 up and the best chances of the half for each team falling to free kicks. Godalming had more of the ball but were often unproductively busy in their play. Fleet were well organised and the more dangerous looking team of the two.
Bovril’s drank we settle in the press box for the second half that opened with a contentious Fleet goal. Quick break hits post, rebound fumbled then finally put to bed by Jacob Bellmaine. There was a flurry of offside protestations made all the more plausible by the noticeable absence of Godalming’s defence during the attack. Darren in particular was booking both ref and linesman on a FA re-training course starting immediately. But to no avail. 0-2.
Two minutes later an incident on the far side led to the ref showing Darren what he had learnt in FA training by flourishing a straight red after a challenge. I have no idea whether it was justified or not as I don’t have gloom vision but it seemed at least partly fuelled by the offside debacle that went before. This was a body blow for the Gees but they kept playing with pace and at times more cohesion. Jayden was creating bit of space in front of the Fleet goal and had a couple of shots on target and Dylan Bonner worked tirelessly and played well. However in the 78th minute Andre Smith scored a third for Fleet from another seemingly offside position and it was 3-0 to the visitors, Some home cheer was to be had when the linesman did remember to raise his flag now and again or if the ref gave a decision Godalming’s way. But there was no road back for the Gees. Andre Smith went clean through again to claim a hat trick and another break saw Fleet put a fifth in the net.
Looking back Fleet were the stronger and better organised team who deserved the win but Godalming played with speed and at times flair and did not deserve to be trounced quite so heavily. Losing Wheeler was a pivotal moment as he is more than just a player in this squad. No one else has his experience, ability and vision to create chances for the team. Next game Sandhurst at home – a new year and new chances. And hopefully Graham back lurgie free with a well-rested Dictaphone!
Michael’s stats
Gees Fleet
Attempts 8 11
On target 4 (2ww) 8
Corners 4 2
Fouls 13 20 (4 o/s)
Poss 1 60 40
Poss 2 50 50
Yellows 2
Reds 1
Bovril status: Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Gooooooooood
Godalming 0 - 5 Fleet Spurs
No Christmas cracker here…
With Graham struck by festive lurgie, the editor sent in the reserve hack team of Michael and dad to cover this mid holiday fixture against Fleet Spurs. One look at the starting line-up revealed a mixture of regular players and a few surprise names Jordan Bird back from the wilderness, Jayden at no. 14 (his surname spelt differently on different lists so I won’t risk it) and at no. 12 a certain Dylan Bonner whose relationship with our manager inspired Chicory Tip to pen their only UK hit song in the early 70’s. No Rory Sellick, Reece Weeks or Ryan Villa.
It was clear from the outset that the Gees were up against a well-organised and physically strong team in Fleet Spurs. The Gees had most of the early play with a shot from Jayden going over the bar followed by a flurry of corners for the home side. The Fleet defence stood firm and they looked fast and incisive on the odd break they created. One of these breaks drew a foul outside the Gees box. The tall danger man - no..11 Andre Smith - struck the ball low under the wall. His shot was partially blocked by Adrian Giles only to bounce in the back of the net off the post.
The first half continued with the Gees still having more of the ball but lacking the speed and creativity to break through the Fleet defence. The squad did not quite gel and passes were misdirected or intended runs misread. However Fleet were getting the wrong side of our rather flustered ref and a few yellow cards were waiving about. The Gees got a foul outside the box but on the left. Darren stepped up and launched a fabulous free kick that went over the defence and dipped plum into the Fleet crossbar. The ball went skyward and fell down on the crossbar once again. So close… First half ended Fleet 1-0 up and the best chances of the half for each team falling to free kicks. Godalming had more of the ball but were often unproductively busy in their play. Fleet were well organised and the more dangerous looking team of the two.
Bovril’s drank we settle in the press box for the second half that opened with a contentious Fleet goal. Quick break hits post, rebound fumbled then finally put to bed by Jacob Bellmaine. There was a flurry of offside protestations made all the more plausible by the noticeable absence of Godalming’s defence during the attack. Darren in particular was booking both ref and linesman on a FA re-training course starting immediately. But to no avail. 0-2.
Two minutes later an incident on the far side led to the ref showing Darren what he had learnt in FA training by flourishing a straight red after a challenge. I have no idea whether it was justified or not as I don’t have gloom vision but it seemed at least partly fuelled by the offside debacle that went before. This was a body blow for the Gees but they kept playing with pace and at times more cohesion. Jayden was creating bit of space in front of the Fleet goal and had a couple of shots on target and Dylan Bonner worked tirelessly and played well. However in the 78th minute Andre Smith scored a third for Fleet from another seemingly offside position and it was 3-0 to the visitors, Some home cheer was to be had when the linesman did remember to raise his flag now and again or if the ref gave a decision Godalming’s way. But there was no road back for the Gees. Andre Smith went clean through again to claim a hat trick and another break saw Fleet put a fifth in the net.
Looking back Fleet were the stronger and better organised team who deserved the win but Godalming played with speed and at times flair and did not deserve to be trounced quite so heavily. Losing Wheeler was a pivotal moment as he is more than just a player in this squad. No one else has his experience, ability and vision to create chances for the team. Next game Sandhurst at home – a new year and new chances. And hopefully Graham back lurgie free with a well-rested Dictaphone!
Michael’s stats
Gees Fleet
Attempts 8 11
On target 4 (2ww) 8
Corners 4 2
Fouls 13 20 (4 o/s)
Poss 1 60 40
Poss 2 50 50
Yellows 2
Reds 1
Bovril status: Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Gooooooooood
