CHUFC 2 - 1 GODALMING TOWN. (DANCE, BLACK)

After reflecting on team selection for an age following our defeat to Dorking Wanderers and spending some time in pre-match preparation setting some ground rules for how we need to improve to move forward, the lads produced a top performance to beat Godalming.

It had the feel of a game that would be decided by fine margins as there wasn’t anything between the two sides, but our significant improvement from 3 days earlier saw us just about have the edge in crucial moments. Chance-wise, there weren’t many in the first half for either side, but both goalkeepers, when called into action, did well to keep the game goalless at the half.

We spoke at half-time about remaining patient and being aware that with chances at a premium, we would need to be efficient in front of goal. Disappointingly and just at the start of the second half, we had a degree of misfortune when a loose ball fell kindly to Godalming striker, and he produced a good finish to put us behind.

However, the character that we showed and the togetherness that we had asked for in the bad moments saw us respond quite quickly with a deflected shot from Kevin Dance, who was making his first start. Two changes were made: 1 enforced as Boe Fowler replaced a slightly injured Ellis Dunn, and Maurice Black replaced Kevin Dance as we sensed a momentum shift in our favour and the opportunity to win the game.

With about 20 to go, Maurice headed home what turned out to be the winner, and we did very well to see the game out. If anything, we looked the more likely to score again and were possibly guilty of continuing with that approach as the game drew to its conclusion rather than sitting a bit deeper, but we got there, and the lads deserve all the credit for a very well balanced performance and a good result against a team who will be in the playoffs in my opinion. Our target must be to play at these levels repeatedly and to make sure we are in the top 6 with them.

Our next match is away against Arundel in the Peter Bentley Challenge Cup on Saturday.

Glynn Stephens
First Team Manager