Post by greygraham on Nov 5, 2020 15:40:59 GMT
Walton and Hersham (1) 4– 2 (2) Godalming
This was a last-minute fixture, which came about as W&H’s League cup game was cancelled. So, having thought last Saturday’s game at Dorking was the last before the partial lockdown, I was proven wrong again.
A brave decision to go to the fixture knowing we would be without captain Rory Sellick and Sam Taylor, but still it meant an opportunity to put the events of Saturday behind us.
W&H were second in the League and had a very good record at home on the (3G - 4G?) super flat artificial pitch at the Xcel Hub. Despite the weather starting to turn cold and warnings of frost during the night there was a good turn out of supporters for both the home team and of course the travelling Gs support, which we know far and away beats most other teams in this league.
The team sheet saw Adrian Giles return in goal, Sam Wade back at right back Ben May and Myles Davidson the centre backs and Nathan Morris at left back. The midfield in the 4-4—2 line up was Connor Blanchard, Lekan Osideko and saw the return of both Darren Wheeler and Sam Boultwood. Connor Young started upfront along with Josh Ogunseye.
On the Bench were Kai Francis, Kurt Greenaway, Elijah Carter, Scott Javan and Andrej Muresan.
It was not long before the home side showed just how good they are and put the Gs defence under pressure from the off. But the Gs were working hard and getting the tackles in when it counted. Adrian also did well, giving comfort to his defence with some timely interceptions. Then the Gs won the ball in the middle and the impressive Sam Boultwood threaded a long ball through the home defence to give Josh a chance to chase it down and despite the attentions of two or three defenders he still managed to get on the ball and turn them, before hitting the ball home from close range, when initially it seemed he might have been thwarted. What a cool head he has and a lethal left foot.
So, it was against the run of play, but it certainly gave that glimmer of hope, that - what if?
Talking of “a lethal left foot” I have mentioned that a few times in the past about Darren Wheeler, but this time it was his quick thinking in taking a free kick while the W&H defence were still powdering their noses, that lead to the Gs getting a second goal.
Well, that feeling of “what if” was growing just a bit stronger now and helping to keep the travelling G army warm in the cold night air. They would have to defend with everything they could muster, but who knows? The whole squad were doing their bit against what has to be by far the best side that we have come up against this season. Their wingers were a clear threat and their defence looked very well organised and physical in open play. If the Gs could keep a clean sheet up to the break perhaps the home side would start to unravel?
W&H did get a goal back from a good move down their left flank only minutes after Darren’s goal, but they went into the half time break at 1-2 down.
After a very energetic first half the Gs were likely to tire a bit in the second and Darren soon made way for Kurt Greenaway. I think the plan was to try to make sure that the wingers could not get so much space to attack the Gs defence.
Then the home side were awarded a penalty apparently for a handball in the area in making a block. Adrian went the right way, but could not stop this one. That brought the scores level and now the home supporters were making themselves heard.
Can we hang in for a point?
Unfortunately, not. With playing a high defensive line there was always going to be space behind the Gs defence and from a tremendous long high ball out from one of their centre backs the home number 7 managed to advance at pace and deliver a quality low cross into the box that was hit home from relatively close range to put the hosts 3 - 2 up.
Minutes later they did virtually the same thing again to increase their lead to 4 – 2.
But the Gs did not take that lightly and as the home side probably took their foot of the gas a bit Josh made another great run cutting in from the right side and building for a shot that thgis time went went just wide of the upright.
There had been a few other chances for the Gs during the game, but the result was fair.
If W&H don’t end the League in the top handful, I will eat my metaphorical hat.
A much better feeling going home, despite getting nothing out of the game in the way of points, but a much better performance from all the lads who gave it everything to leave a much better taste in the mouth than on Saturday.
Stay safe and hope for a return to football some time not too distant.
COYGs
This was a last-minute fixture, which came about as W&H’s League cup game was cancelled. So, having thought last Saturday’s game at Dorking was the last before the partial lockdown, I was proven wrong again.
A brave decision to go to the fixture knowing we would be without captain Rory Sellick and Sam Taylor, but still it meant an opportunity to put the events of Saturday behind us.
W&H were second in the League and had a very good record at home on the (3G - 4G?) super flat artificial pitch at the Xcel Hub. Despite the weather starting to turn cold and warnings of frost during the night there was a good turn out of supporters for both the home team and of course the travelling Gs support, which we know far and away beats most other teams in this league.
The team sheet saw Adrian Giles return in goal, Sam Wade back at right back Ben May and Myles Davidson the centre backs and Nathan Morris at left back. The midfield in the 4-4—2 line up was Connor Blanchard, Lekan Osideko and saw the return of both Darren Wheeler and Sam Boultwood. Connor Young started upfront along with Josh Ogunseye.
On the Bench were Kai Francis, Kurt Greenaway, Elijah Carter, Scott Javan and Andrej Muresan.
It was not long before the home side showed just how good they are and put the Gs defence under pressure from the off. But the Gs were working hard and getting the tackles in when it counted. Adrian also did well, giving comfort to his defence with some timely interceptions. Then the Gs won the ball in the middle and the impressive Sam Boultwood threaded a long ball through the home defence to give Josh a chance to chase it down and despite the attentions of two or three defenders he still managed to get on the ball and turn them, before hitting the ball home from close range, when initially it seemed he might have been thwarted. What a cool head he has and a lethal left foot.
So, it was against the run of play, but it certainly gave that glimmer of hope, that - what if?
Talking of “a lethal left foot” I have mentioned that a few times in the past about Darren Wheeler, but this time it was his quick thinking in taking a free kick while the W&H defence were still powdering their noses, that lead to the Gs getting a second goal.
Well, that feeling of “what if” was growing just a bit stronger now and helping to keep the travelling G army warm in the cold night air. They would have to defend with everything they could muster, but who knows? The whole squad were doing their bit against what has to be by far the best side that we have come up against this season. Their wingers were a clear threat and their defence looked very well organised and physical in open play. If the Gs could keep a clean sheet up to the break perhaps the home side would start to unravel?
W&H did get a goal back from a good move down their left flank only minutes after Darren’s goal, but they went into the half time break at 1-2 down.
After a very energetic first half the Gs were likely to tire a bit in the second and Darren soon made way for Kurt Greenaway. I think the plan was to try to make sure that the wingers could not get so much space to attack the Gs defence.
Then the home side were awarded a penalty apparently for a handball in the area in making a block. Adrian went the right way, but could not stop this one. That brought the scores level and now the home supporters were making themselves heard.
Can we hang in for a point?
Unfortunately, not. With playing a high defensive line there was always going to be space behind the Gs defence and from a tremendous long high ball out from one of their centre backs the home number 7 managed to advance at pace and deliver a quality low cross into the box that was hit home from relatively close range to put the hosts 3 - 2 up.
Minutes later they did virtually the same thing again to increase their lead to 4 – 2.
But the Gs did not take that lightly and as the home side probably took their foot of the gas a bit Josh made another great run cutting in from the right side and building for a shot that thgis time went went just wide of the upright.
There had been a few other chances for the Gs during the game, but the result was fair.
If W&H don’t end the League in the top handful, I will eat my metaphorical hat.
A much better feeling going home, despite getting nothing out of the game in the way of points, but a much better performance from all the lads who gave it everything to leave a much better taste in the mouth than on Saturday.
Stay safe and hope for a return to football some time not too distant.
COYGs