Camberley 0 Godalming Town 0
After so much rain it was doubtful whether the Krooner Park pitch would be playable, but they got the thumbs up and fortunately the rain held off for the duration of the game. Well done to Camberley for getting the game on.
The Gees knew that this was going to be a tougher match than their recent encounters as the League position of their hosts made it clear that they would have to be at their best to get anything in the way of points from the game.
Having recently seen a number of injuries to the Gees squad and the introduction of another batch of new players against North Greenford, it was good to see that there were some of the injured players, not on the squad sheet, but warming up on the pitch. Piers Oldland says he is another couple of weeks away from returning (ankle injury). Josh Kempton has a groin injury and was advised to rest it rather than risk further damage and Alex Rodrigues (groin injury) was accompanying Gav Smith in the dugout.
So, the versatile Lewis Lodge found himself partnering Lea Van Sullivan as the centre backs in front of Dimi Kyriatkis in goal with the impressive Shaun Smart at right back and from the U 18 squad Dominic Hardisty at left back. Tre Trowers started alongside Jack Howard with Darren Wheeler and Bobby Bennett the wide players and Hakim Griffiths and Kieran Campbell up front. On the bench were, Aaron Parfitt, Ainsley Everett, Ben Cotton, Benga Ogunseye, and Tom Webb.
Looked like Tom would get his knees dirty when Dimi bravely went down to collect the ball at the feet of an advancing forward and took a blow requiring attention only minutes in. But Dimi stayed on.
The first chance for the Gees came from a run by Bobby Bennett down the right and he pulled the ball back in to the edge of the box where Hakim got in a shot that went just wide.The home team probably had the edge on possession, but did not give Dimi too much to worry about.
During the second half the Camberley team put some more pressure on the Gees but apart from one attempt were limited to long shots, most of which went well high over the bar. The Gees continued to battle on and never gave up. But Camberley, from the League statistics, are good at defending, but not so good at scoring.
The last five minutes were all at the home end when Aaron Parfitt (on for Tre) used his long throw and almost caught out the home team when it landed in line with the far post and rebounded of the foot of the post from someone who I could not identify. From the ensuing corner the Gees had another chance from close range, which was hit over the bar.
As I was in the middle of some home supporters who were urging the ref to blow for full time as they clearly felt that the Gees might nick it with a goal at the end. But it ended 0-0.
Good points for the Gees:-
1) We would have taken a point when we arrived. So, no complaints.
2) 4 wins and a draw in the last 6 games.
3) Dominic at left back looked like he had been there all season.
4) Shaun at right back looked just as good as he did on his debut.
5) It was Kevin Goodman’s 50th birthday and he was well pleased.
6) Not a single yellow card in the game.
7) There was, as usual, a great turn out from the travelling Gees supporters
Michaels Stats:-
Camberley Town Gees
Attempts 20 10
On target 7 3
Corners 7 3
Fouls 12 (4 o/s) 14 (3 o/s)
Poss 1 57 43
Poss 2 54 46
Cards NONE NONE
Bovril status - Fine quality brew prepared by the Flippin Burger team - all served with freshly ground black pepper served from the largest pepper mill in Surrey. ah... Bovril
A Happy New Year to all at GTFC.
The New Year looks good thanks to Gav and Jon for their hard work and to the team that they have now assembled. The team have shown courage and commitment and are playing well as a team. Well done to them all as they have brought back some hope and belief following a couple of desperate seasons. There is much more to be done, that is sure, and Walton and Hersham next up will be a much greater test than Camberley, but at last we have closed the gap between the teams above us and have some good vibes going into 2018.
COYGs
