Post by godalmingtownfc on Aug 26, 2008 14:29:50 GMT
Walton and Hersham 1-0 Godalming Town
Ryman Division One South
Monday 25th August 2008
A disappointing performance from Godalming Town gifted Walton & Hersham a fortunate three points at Stompond Lane. Town will be kicking themselves after failing to turn their pressure and possession into deserved points, but some strong performances from the home defence meant that goalkeeper Anthony Hall wasn’t troubled much by the shot-shy Godalming attack.
The long grass on the pitch made passing more difficult for both teams and thus the game made a slow start with Brahim Eloumani striking the first shot over Hall’s goal from Richard Brightwell’s cross. Chris Wales also had a go from far out but his shot flew over the bar. Minutes before half time Wales conceded a debatable foul to the right of the goal and Adam Moriarty stepped up to curl the ball with his right foot around the Godalming wall and into the net. It was a disappointing end to what had been a comfortable half for Godalming, but not much changed in the second period. Both teams had to resort to balls over the top and although Godalming had most of the possession they rarely came close to getting the elusive equaliser.
Kenny Ojukwu, who had suffered a frustrating game, was replaced on sixty five minutes by Richard Thompson who injected a new and much needed approach to Godalming’s attacking options. Eloumani was also pushed up front and from this point Godalming actually created chances with Glen Stanley firing over from Brightwell’s free kick after Chris Wales had been fouled. Godalming were getting closer and it was a question of what would arrive first; the equaliser or the final whistle. Bernard Asante replaced Asone Patterson with ten minutes to go just before Brahim Eloumani smashed the crossbar with a great shot from distance. The dropping ball fell to Asante who couldn’t head the ball across the six yard box to the expectant Stanley.
With time running out, sheer inspiration from Brahim Eloumani almost brought Town a goal. A mazy, determined run from within his own half resulted in a last ditch tackle from a Walton defender stopping Eloumani in his tracks just outside the home side’s penalty area. Godalming also had their fair share of corners, but Walton had everyone back and they defended valiantly through the five minutes of added on time. In the end Walton had done just enough to hold onto their precious lead, but in truth Godalming deserved an equaliser at the very least and they missed Graeme Purdy’s presence and hard work upfront.
Godalming: Mann, Pestle, Eloumani, Patterson (Asante), Matthews, Taylor, Wales, Brightwell, Stanley, Mariner, Ojukwu (Thompson)
Unused subs: Hall, Dudley, Aulsberry
Greg Lewry
Ryman Division One South
Monday 25th August 2008
A disappointing performance from Godalming Town gifted Walton & Hersham a fortunate three points at Stompond Lane. Town will be kicking themselves after failing to turn their pressure and possession into deserved points, but some strong performances from the home defence meant that goalkeeper Anthony Hall wasn’t troubled much by the shot-shy Godalming attack.
The long grass on the pitch made passing more difficult for both teams and thus the game made a slow start with Brahim Eloumani striking the first shot over Hall’s goal from Richard Brightwell’s cross. Chris Wales also had a go from far out but his shot flew over the bar. Minutes before half time Wales conceded a debatable foul to the right of the goal and Adam Moriarty stepped up to curl the ball with his right foot around the Godalming wall and into the net. It was a disappointing end to what had been a comfortable half for Godalming, but not much changed in the second period. Both teams had to resort to balls over the top and although Godalming had most of the possession they rarely came close to getting the elusive equaliser.
Kenny Ojukwu, who had suffered a frustrating game, was replaced on sixty five minutes by Richard Thompson who injected a new and much needed approach to Godalming’s attacking options. Eloumani was also pushed up front and from this point Godalming actually created chances with Glen Stanley firing over from Brightwell’s free kick after Chris Wales had been fouled. Godalming were getting closer and it was a question of what would arrive first; the equaliser or the final whistle. Bernard Asante replaced Asone Patterson with ten minutes to go just before Brahim Eloumani smashed the crossbar with a great shot from distance. The dropping ball fell to Asante who couldn’t head the ball across the six yard box to the expectant Stanley.
With time running out, sheer inspiration from Brahim Eloumani almost brought Town a goal. A mazy, determined run from within his own half resulted in a last ditch tackle from a Walton defender stopping Eloumani in his tracks just outside the home side’s penalty area. Godalming also had their fair share of corners, but Walton had everyone back and they defended valiantly through the five minutes of added on time. In the end Walton had done just enough to hold onto their precious lead, but in truth Godalming deserved an equaliser at the very least and they missed Graeme Purdy’s presence and hard work upfront.
Godalming: Mann, Pestle, Eloumani, Patterson (Asante), Matthews, Taylor, Wales, Brightwell, Stanley, Mariner, Ojukwu (Thompson)
Unused subs: Hall, Dudley, Aulsberry
Greg Lewry