ARCHIVE: Godalming Town v Ashford Town. Ryman League Division 1 South. 2006-7 season.

Godalming Town       3       Ashford Town   0

from Your Milton Keynes Correspondent

I’d been really looking forward to this game, since the fixture list was first published. A new team and a new ground to visit, with Godalming Town having been promoted from the Combined Counties League during the Summer’s pyramid restructuring. I wasn’t expecting the ground at Wey Court, or the facilities, to be anything spectacular, as today’s opponents are a club very much making the transition from Step 5 in the pyramid to the Ryman League. In fact, it’s a club very much in that twilight zone, where facilities and crowds might just about be adequate to sustain football at this level. What we found was a bunch of very nice people who have been working hard in recent years to make this happen.

Godalming Town is very much White Railing Land, and the pitch was bordered by the classic single white railing, as if to emphasise the point. Accommodation for spectators is provided by a single, fairly modest stand, in addition to a very dodgy-looking contraption with a corrugated roof, about the size of a bus shelter, behind one goal. There is just a low, concrete paneled fence separating the ground from the goff course on the far side, which provides a pleasant backdrop to the view from the stand, and just a thin belt of trees between the ground and the A3100 at one end. All in all, the facilities have to be described as “basic”, by Ryman League standards, but by no means unpleasant. (“Unpleasant”, in the dictionary of football grounds, is defined as “Corby, Banstead, Sittingbourne”). Godalming is very much Leafy Surrey, and the main question is whether the town might be too posh for football.

[ Incidentally, here’s a little quiz: what do Godalming Town have in common with Leyton Orient, Kingstonian, Colchester United and Cambridge United ?  The answer is at the end of the report.]

Just as the club is in the process of getting up to speed with life at a higher level – although I was interested to note that the Godalming officials had already twigged which Ryman club is to be despised on the grounds of arrogance, and of thinking that it’s too big to be at this level ! – it appears that the team is going through the same learning curve on the pitch. Our opponents today started the game as the bottom side in the league, and being the only team in the division without a win this season. (Funnily enough, the team we play in the FA Trophy next Saturday, Waltham Forest, is bottom of Ryman Division 1 North, and is the only team in that division without a win). Godalming also found themselves on the end of an 8-1 shellacking at the hands of Dulwich Hamlet on Tuesday – the heaviest defeat in the club’s 28 years of senior football.

Now it would have been very easy for our lads to get a bit cocky about coming here this afternoon – such remarks like “a division without Godalming Town is like a party without girls” spring to mind – but such an attitude would have been, as it always has been, a recipe for Egg on Face. Any readers who couldn’t help noticing the scoreline at the top of this report will probably realise that the Ashford players might easily have been thinking along these lines, at least sub-consciously, and I must say that this probably tells at least half of the story. It’s amazing how much of this game is played in the mind, and, wherever the boys’ mind was this afternoon, they simply weren’t at the races. They rather tumbled out of the starting stalls, were 3-0 down after only 26 minutes, and from there never looked like closing the gap.

In short, this was just about as poor as it gets – the boys never had a shot on target during the 90 minutes, never put a worthwhile move together and let in three. It was God-Awful in Godalming.

I think the simple truth is that this squad of players has two ways of playing – they can play very well against good teams, but can also be just as poor, and the difference is almost entirely in the mind. Unlike some Ashford fans, I’m not inclined to dismiss earlier victories against Burgess Hill and Bromley (!) as a flash in the pan – I think those wins were strictly on merit, but they were achieved by the team showing the necessary intensity and concentration.

It’s certainly true to say that the team that lined up this afternoon was not very different to the sides that had done so well during that spell of four consecutive victories during September. I suppose the one exception might have been the absence of George Fenwick up front, as we missed his physical presence, but Ashford’s deficiencies this afternoon weren’t confined to one department. In the absence of big George, Tim Thorogood partnered skipper Simon Glover with Richard Sinden up front, with Anthony Allman and Gary Clarke in the centre, and Joby Thorogood and Kenny Jarrett-Elliott out wide (although the effectiveness of the wide men was always going to be limited, on Godalming’s small pitch). With Barry Crawford nursing an injury on the bench, and with Marc Cumberbatch likely to turn up late as a result of having a modeling commitment elsewhere, we had Stuart Playford and Dan Tanner in central defence, with the ol’ faithfuls, Tommy and Rossi, there on either side, like book-ends, as usual. Simon Overland, who is currently the only player to have played in every minute of every game this season, was in goal; bench buddies Joff Thorogood and Joe Hitchings made up the complement of substitutes.

The match began in steady drizzle, which was not surprising, given the day’s forecast of showers. Though lacking the padded seats of Sittingbourne, the small, green-painted stand is plenty deep enough, and provided adequate shelter from the rain. The stand is also off-set from the half-way line, and is situated entirely in the half of the field that was defended by Ashford in the first half – which is just as well, as this is where most of the action was in this half, and where all three goals were scored.

The first chance of the match fell, in the third minute, to the home side, playing in a brand new kit of yellow shirts, green shorts and yellow sockies (à la Norwich City), in contrast to Ashford’s home kit of green, navy blue and green. (In other words, we were playing in the usual Asda strip, as opposed to the new Ikea kit). A shot from Danny Newman from outside the area was partially blocked by Dan Tanner, but still thudded against the foot of Simon Overland’s right-hand post, with Simon rooted to the spot.

If that was an early wake-up call, then the reprieve didn’t last for long. After an Anthony Allman free-kick from deep had been headed clear by the Godalming defence, in the seventh minute, the home side took the lead, two minutes later. A cross from the left, from near the by-line, was chipped high, towards the far post. Glen Stanley got up above Ian Ross, and got in a good, downward header, which Simon Overland did well to save, low down to his left. Unfortunately for our heroes, big, blond centre-forward Danny Newman was on the spot to hook the ball into the net, from close range.

A foul by Dan Tanner, in the eleventh minute, conceded a free-kick, to the right of Ashford’s area. The cross was floated over to a crowd of players, and it was again a Godalming player who won the ball, but Chris Boulter’s header looped over the bar and onto the roof of the net.

Ashford did venture forward in search of an equaliser, but were unable to create a clear-cut chance. After a corner, in the 14^th minute, had come to nothing, another Anthony Allman free-kick, from near the left touchline, needed a clearance from Roger Steer, but the Player-Manager merely managed to slice it behind for a corner. Allman’s corner, however, failed to beat the first defender, at the near post.

The closest that Ashford came to a goal was in the 19^th minute, and really this came out of nothing. Godalming ‘keeper Andy Parkinson – and this is his only mention in this report ! – attempted a routine clearance, from a back-pass, but his kick was closed down by Kenny Jarrett-Elliott. The ball might have rebounded anywhere, but, instead of spiraling into the net, it went behind for a goal-kick.

The home side doubled their lead a minute later, and this, I’m afraid, was down to Stuart Playford. Stuart spent far too long fannying around with the ball in his own half, and lost the ball in a dangerous position. Joe Chandiran, who was later named as Man of the Match for the home side, dribbled the ball into the area and slotted the ball past Simon Overland. Rossi made a last-ditch effort to clear, but could only help the ball into the net, after it had crossed the line.

Rossi had a chance to cancel out that goal, in the 23^rd minute, with a free-kick just outside the area, after Simon Glover had been fouled. His wonderfully struck goal against Molesey at the end of last season always gives us hope of a repeat, but on this occasion his effort went miles over the bar.

By this time, the rain had passed, and the game was being played in bright sunshine – but there was no change in Ashford’s fortunes, as Godalming scored a third, in the 26^th minute. A back-pass to Simon Overland seemed harmless enough, before Shawn Lydon nipped in and dinked the ball past the advancing ‘keeper. This time it was Dan Tanner with the vain attempt at a clearance off the line, but the ball had trickled over by the time he had got to it.

Incredibly, we were already 3-0 down, with prospects of a spectacular comeback looking bleak. In fact, it almost got much worse a minute later, when Stuart Playford conceded a free-kick just outside the area. That earnt him a yellow card, and my colleagues in the Press Box informed me that it might have been a red one, if Referee Lloyd Rendell had used the “last defender” criterion. Ashford faced the free-kick with a wall that looked about as uneven and ramshackle as the little shelter behind the goal – it consisted of two little’uns, in Gary Clarke and Joby, and Kenny, a tall one, and it was a construction that wouldn’t have pleased Tommy Walsh, (who played in goal for Arsenal in the Barry Cunningham Benefit Match that took place at The Homelands on Thursday, in case you were baffled by the link). The result of the free-kick was that Paul Anderson got a clear shot in on goal, but this was straight at Simon Overland, who made no mistake.

At this point, someone really needed to show some leadership on the field, and it was Anthony Allman who stepped forward, calling the entire team to him in the centre of the pitch when the ball had gone out of play, and gently raised a question along the lines of “what the F’s going on out here ?”. I don’t think there’s much doubt that Simon Glover is our most gifted player, and he was the man wearing the armband, but I can’t offer any explanation for why he was named as captain out there, especially with four former captains in the starting line-up.

In spite of Anthony’s efforts to get the lads to pick their game up, it was the home team that looked most likely to score the next goal. Joe Chandiran dribbled the ball down the left flank, in the 38^th minute, and found Glen Stanley in plenty of space, just to the right of the “D”, but Stanley dragged his shot wastefully wide of the goal. A minute later, Stuart Playford was harshly penalised for hand-ball, which gave Godalming another free-kick in a dangerous position, but Ian Ross was there to head the cross clear.

In the 41^st minute, Joby Thorogood did well to turn centre-half Martin Beard, inducing a foul which caused Beard to become the first of three players booked for the home side. Whilst this was a sign of at least some discomfort being caused to the Godalming defence, who might easily have played the game in slippers, the half still ended with Ashford having failed to create a chance.

I can only imagine what Tim Thorogood must have said during the interval – and I suspect he might have used one of two words that have never fallen on my delicate ears – but the boys did come out for the second half looking very purposeful. We did have a free-kick a little way outside the Godalming penalty area, after Martin Beard had fouled Glovesy, in the 48^th minute; this time Rossi decided not to go for goal, but instead slotted the ball through for Richard Sinden, but this little move was snuffed out by the home defence.

A couple of minutes later, a bad tackle by Gary Clarke sparked off an unpleasant little sequence. Clarkey was very late on Shaun Elliott, and matters might have been resolved immediately if the young Lino standing four or five yards away had drawn the ref’s attention to the tackle. Instead, the home side felt compelled to seek their own justice, and Richard Sinden was immediately clattered from behind, and Shawn Lydon left his foot in on Tommy a few seconds later. This earnt Lydon a yellow card.

Tommy was soon in action again, in the 53^rd minute, when challenging Joe Chandiran, who was attempting to latch onto a long through-ball. Chandiran went down in the area, but Mr Rendell waved play on.

By this time, both Cumberbatches had arrived at the ground – John dressed in a natty beige suit, as Marc took his place on the subs’ bench. There had also been a change of formation on the field, with Gloves dropping back into central midfield, Gary Clarke moving out to the right and Joby taking up his old striking role alongside Richard Sinden – but still Ashford were unable to create that first chance. There was a free-kick in a promising position, in the 54^th minute, but Stuart Playford was penalised for a foul on the ‘keeper as he went up for Anthony Allman’s long, hanging cross, and then Kenny Three Names went off on a break down the left, from deep, in the 58^th minute. Kenny fed the ball forward to Joby, who cut inside, but only he knew what he was attempting to do with a short, dinked pass into the area, as the ball went harmlessly through to the ‘keeper.

Godalming had another chance to extend their lead, on the hour mark, when a good, slick pass put Shawn Lydon through on goal; this time, however, Simon Overland did well to come out and make a good save.

A minute later, Joffy Thorogood came on as substitute for Kenny, who was struggling with an injury, in a straight swap on the left side of midfield, and then, in the 63^rd minute, Godalming used their second substitution (James Mariner having come on for Roger Steer a few minutes earlier), when big striker Ahmed Tchankuo replaced Shawn Lydon. If this was an attempt to put pressure on a tired and demoralised Ashford defence, then the home side needn’t have bothered, as the damage had largely been done already. Stuart Playford was having a particularly miserable afternoon, and his head dropped again when his attempted pass to Tom Adlington was intercepted by Joe Chandiran. This left the entire defence completely stranded, as Chandiran sped off into the wide open space behind; he might have made more of the opportunity, though, as his eventual cross was much too close to Simon Overland, and Simon was able to collect. Big Stuart’s pain was ended in the 69^th minute, when he was replaced by Marc Cumberbatch.

Godalming continued to look the most likely side to score, and Joe Chandiran unleashed a firm shot on goal in the 73^rd minute, but it was straight at Simon, who caught the ball cleanly. A foul by Rossi, a minute later, then gave the home side a free-kick, which was taken by Glen Stanley, on the right. This resulted in a long cross to the far past, and a free header for James Mariner, who headed into the side-netting.

In the 76^th minute, our hosts made their third and final substitution, when Craig Prendergast went on for Glen Stanley, but it was James Mariner, one of the other subs used, who was soon to be the centre of attention, when he steamed into Gary Clarke with his studs showing. Whether or not this was meant to be retribution for Clarkey’s late challenge earlier in the half, it was still a daft thing for Mariner to do, with his team 3-0 up and cruising – but he got away with a yellow card.

After Danny Newman had just failed to get over the top of the ball, in the 80^th minute, and saw his header go over the Ashford bar, Joffy Thorogood treated us to some comedy, with a trademark yellow card. He was beaten by Ahmed Tchankuo, and so he kicked him, well after he had released the ball. It was as blatant a yellow card as you’d ever see, and, after waiting for the ball to go out of play, Lloyd Rendell showed him one. (The only thing more amusing than the foul was Joffy’s attempt to talk his way out of the booking).

If this was an easy decision for Mr Rendell, who had a pretty good game, the task of selecting a Man of the Match for Ashford was rather more difficult – and it was something of a Committee decision. Whilst both full-backs appeared to be relatively blameless, and Anthony Allman tried to show some leadership in midfield, it was Gary Clarke who got the collective nod, for at least battling away for the 90 minutes.

This was a hugely important win for Godalming – their first in the Ryman League – albeit in front of a crowd of only 69. It puts them level with three other teams on five points, at the foot of the table, but they are still bottom, on goal difference. Ashford Town, in spite of now occupying the dizzy heights of 18^th place, are just a point above this lot, so our league position is still rather precarious. Of course, it’s a bit early to start poring and fretting over league tables; what’s really important is that the lads can pick themselves up after this very poor performance, and realise that they’re as capable of being the side that beat Bromley, as they are of being the shower they were today.

And we’ve every chance of putting things right in the next game, next Saturday, as we travel to Waltham Forest, who are bottom of Ryman Division 1 North, having failed to win a game so far this season etc, etc, etc,.

Man of the Match

(to go towards the Milton Keynes Bowl)

Gary Clarke

Quiz answer: All clubs have a nickname that’s a letter of the alphabet – Godalming are the G’s, Leyton Orient are the O’s, Kingstonian are the K’s and both Colchester United and Cambridge United are the U’s.