Post by greygraham on Sept 18, 2020 6:36:53 GMT
Westside 1 (0) – 0 (0) Godalming
Football can be unforgiving and cruel at times. This was another terrific performance by the Gs squad, but they will have come away from the venue with a feeling of great disappointment at the result. The hosts, I think, will feel fortunate that they managed to come away with all the points, when the game appeared to be heading for a draw.
Firstly, not having been to the Colliers Wood ground for a couple of seasons, it was a very pleasant surprise to see how much it has changed for the better. Hats off to the guys and girls who organised it. A good-looking pitch and on-site parking as well now. All organised with smart fencing and a track to the car park that runs across the back of the pitch. Goalposts on wheels, so no leaving before the game is finished!
We were also welcomed to the ground at the turnstile, giving us that cosy warm feeling as we entered the ground after having had a quick rub down with a hand sanitiser gel.
It was also a surprise to see the Gs wearing a most unusual kit. Blue tops with the green shorts and yellow socks. The interior designer in me was a bit offended, but further confused because the home side were wearing yellow shirts and blue shorts.
However, the Gs side started well. Adrian was restored to fitness and his role between the posts, with Miles Davidson at right back and Nathan Morris at left back. Ben May and Sam Taylor the centre backs. Rory was being rested so was on the bench. So, it was Sam Boultwood, Connor Blanchard, Elijah Carter in the middle and Josh Ogunseye, Lekan Osideko and Kai Francis at number 9. On the bench with Rory were Connor Young and Ellis Lentil neither of whom we have not seen for a while, along with Relu Oprea and Andrei Muresan,
Elijah showed his footballing brain and a turn of pace to pinch the ball from a home player wide on the Gs left and after slipping past another defender getting his shot in. Unfortunately, it was not the best contact, but a good effort and on target anyway. The first proper shot of the game.
Connor Blanchard then made a great run down the right before delivering a great low cross, which to his credit, the home keeper did really well to catch and hold as he went full length. If he had spilled it who knows what would have happened.
The Gs were looking good, but Westside were aiming to hit their right winger on the break and he certainly had some pace, but the Gs defence were up to it.
Kai Francis then made it down the Gs right before getting a cross in that bounced clear before Connor Blanchard in the middle latched on to it at pace and hit a shot, but again he did not really make a good connection.
Connor again got down the right and played another great ball in, but somehow the Gs players in the box could not make contact.
Lekan then worked his magic, but his shot was just wide of the mark. Lekan was clearly going to be a threat, so when minutes later he got onto another ball through he was brought down just outside of the home area.
The Gs were looking good, but Westside were clearly hoping to hit on the break playing the ball quickly out to their wings. This did produce their first proper shot of the game, but this went well wide.
As Lekan makes another strong run he gets cut down again, producing the first yellow card of the game.
0 - 0 at half time.
At the start of the second half Sam Boultwood comes off being replaced by Ellis Lentil.
The home side looked more compact in defence and physical in the tackle and started to come more into the game. Adrian had to be on his toes. It took the Gs 15 – 20 minutes to get back into the game with Elijah getting forward and hitting a fine drive.
Rory come on as Kai Francis was replaced having had a good game and doing a good target man job with lots of flick-ons.
Andrei comes on for Elijah, who also had had a fine game yet again.
With the game apparently heading towards a draw the Gs start to get back a bit more territory, before from a Gs corner, Ben May gets his head to the ball and hits the crossbar. But still no goal for the Gs. Just not our night.
Some more fearsome challenges coming in from the home side and particularly Lekan seemed to come under attack and another yellow card.
Then with around 15 minutes to go from a corner the ball crosses the Gs goalmouth fairly innocuously when it is played past his keeper and into to the goal by accident by Ben May, who only minutes earlier had almost nicked the three points for the Gs. Ben has been the most solid and reliable of players this season, but these things can happen to the best.
It was not a dirty game at all. But as the Gs throw everything into attack, some horrendous tackles come in. First on Lekan again, requiring attention again on the pitch for him, and then the Westside number two got his second yellow and a red card for another on Ellis Lentil.
But, after another great performance on the pitch it was a disappointing result when for much of the game the Gs seemed to have the upper hand with Josh constantly attacking the home defence, whilst Adrian and the Gs defence looked pretty solid. The midfield all working well whether going forward or back. So, the result aside the squad looks good and I am sure there will be plenty of wins to come.
On to the excitement of the FA Vase at the weekend.
COYG’s
Football can be unforgiving and cruel at times. This was another terrific performance by the Gs squad, but they will have come away from the venue with a feeling of great disappointment at the result. The hosts, I think, will feel fortunate that they managed to come away with all the points, when the game appeared to be heading for a draw.
Firstly, not having been to the Colliers Wood ground for a couple of seasons, it was a very pleasant surprise to see how much it has changed for the better. Hats off to the guys and girls who organised it. A good-looking pitch and on-site parking as well now. All organised with smart fencing and a track to the car park that runs across the back of the pitch. Goalposts on wheels, so no leaving before the game is finished!
We were also welcomed to the ground at the turnstile, giving us that cosy warm feeling as we entered the ground after having had a quick rub down with a hand sanitiser gel.
It was also a surprise to see the Gs wearing a most unusual kit. Blue tops with the green shorts and yellow socks. The interior designer in me was a bit offended, but further confused because the home side were wearing yellow shirts and blue shorts.
However, the Gs side started well. Adrian was restored to fitness and his role between the posts, with Miles Davidson at right back and Nathan Morris at left back. Ben May and Sam Taylor the centre backs. Rory was being rested so was on the bench. So, it was Sam Boultwood, Connor Blanchard, Elijah Carter in the middle and Josh Ogunseye, Lekan Osideko and Kai Francis at number 9. On the bench with Rory were Connor Young and Ellis Lentil neither of whom we have not seen for a while, along with Relu Oprea and Andrei Muresan,
Elijah showed his footballing brain and a turn of pace to pinch the ball from a home player wide on the Gs left and after slipping past another defender getting his shot in. Unfortunately, it was not the best contact, but a good effort and on target anyway. The first proper shot of the game.
Connor Blanchard then made a great run down the right before delivering a great low cross, which to his credit, the home keeper did really well to catch and hold as he went full length. If he had spilled it who knows what would have happened.
The Gs were looking good, but Westside were aiming to hit their right winger on the break and he certainly had some pace, but the Gs defence were up to it.
Kai Francis then made it down the Gs right before getting a cross in that bounced clear before Connor Blanchard in the middle latched on to it at pace and hit a shot, but again he did not really make a good connection.
Connor again got down the right and played another great ball in, but somehow the Gs players in the box could not make contact.
Lekan then worked his magic, but his shot was just wide of the mark. Lekan was clearly going to be a threat, so when minutes later he got onto another ball through he was brought down just outside of the home area.
The Gs were looking good, but Westside were clearly hoping to hit on the break playing the ball quickly out to their wings. This did produce their first proper shot of the game, but this went well wide.
As Lekan makes another strong run he gets cut down again, producing the first yellow card of the game.
0 - 0 at half time.
At the start of the second half Sam Boultwood comes off being replaced by Ellis Lentil.
The home side looked more compact in defence and physical in the tackle and started to come more into the game. Adrian had to be on his toes. It took the Gs 15 – 20 minutes to get back into the game with Elijah getting forward and hitting a fine drive.
Rory come on as Kai Francis was replaced having had a good game and doing a good target man job with lots of flick-ons.
Andrei comes on for Elijah, who also had had a fine game yet again.
With the game apparently heading towards a draw the Gs start to get back a bit more territory, before from a Gs corner, Ben May gets his head to the ball and hits the crossbar. But still no goal for the Gs. Just not our night.
Some more fearsome challenges coming in from the home side and particularly Lekan seemed to come under attack and another yellow card.
Then with around 15 minutes to go from a corner the ball crosses the Gs goalmouth fairly innocuously when it is played past his keeper and into to the goal by accident by Ben May, who only minutes earlier had almost nicked the three points for the Gs. Ben has been the most solid and reliable of players this season, but these things can happen to the best.
It was not a dirty game at all. But as the Gs throw everything into attack, some horrendous tackles come in. First on Lekan again, requiring attention again on the pitch for him, and then the Westside number two got his second yellow and a red card for another on Ellis Lentil.
But, after another great performance on the pitch it was a disappointing result when for much of the game the Gs seemed to have the upper hand with Josh constantly attacking the home defence, whilst Adrian and the Gs defence looked pretty solid. The midfield all working well whether going forward or back. So, the result aside the squad looks good and I am sure there will be plenty of wins to come.
On to the excitement of the FA Vase at the weekend.
COYG’s