Report by Jools Thomas

FC slipped to a rare defeat against a resolute Godalming side and whilst the score line wasn’t a true reflection of the game certainly in terms of possession, two well taken goals and an opportunistic strike gave Town all three points. FC’s passing game was hampered by a heavily cut up Haywood Way pitch whilst Godalming’s less attractive but more effective long ball style was much more suited to the conditions.

Unusually FC shot towards the covered end in the opening period and had their 1st chance in the opening minute, a shot over the bar from Ben Bateman. In response George Firth hit a half volley which home keeper James Weatherill gathered easily. Aston Goss was the next FC man to try his luck crossing for Gareth Price with Gareth’s shot taking a deflection allowing keeper Richard Ossai to collect.

On 13 minutes Darren Wheeler watched the FC defensive line and his well-timed run gave him a sight of goal and only a wonderful Weatherill save prevented a goal. Six minutes later FC were again fooled by an identical breakaway but this time Adam Cornell made no mistake hitting a hard low shot into the back of the net. Unbelievably FC were pulled apart a third time on the counter attack with George Frith electing to cross and this gave Weatherill the chance to save. FC’s vulnerability stemmed from their own attacking ambitions leaving Kyle Anthony and in particular Ben Stevens exposed and with huge swathes of pitch to cover.

FC attempted to drag themselves back into the game with Jeanmal Proper’s header from a Daniel Murphy corner being well saved. Prosper then turned provider on 28 minutes and his cross found Kyle Anthony whose header was aimed straight at the keeper. Aston Goss then played in Gareth Price with keeper Ossai clearing under pressure and Ben Bateman failed to make an impression with the follow up.

Darren Wheeler broke the offside trap for the fourth time however his lofted shot cleared the bar and at the other end Bradley Wadkins crossed for Terry Dixon however his turn and shot failed to trouble the away keeper. Finally Godalming finished the half much the stronger with Cornell and Wheeler both having excellent opportunities to increase the score line.

The second half saw Ben Bateman replaced by Adam Logie and this made the home team more of an attacking threat. Kyle Anthony hit a header directly at the keeper before Bradley Wadkin’s powerful shot was tipped over the bar by Ossai. Then Logie bustled through the area hitting a shot which could only find the side netting. Terry Dixon had the next chance but he did not have the power to threaten the goal. Aylesbury were really piling on the pressure and should have grabbed the equaliser soon afterwards when Bradley Wadkins, instead of shooting at goal when clean through, decided to cross instead giving the away defence time to clear.

All this pressure came to nothing as FC fell to a sucker punch second goal. Darren Wheeler attacked on the left and his floated cross sailed over Weatherill in the FC goal and into the top corner. The goal knocked the stuffing out of the home team and a third goal soon followed. Adam Cornell added to his earlier effort by turning on the left hand side and hitting a sweet strike which gave Weatherill no chance.

Adam Logie claimed a goal back for FC with a well struck volley from a right sided cross but as Sonny French’s 45 yard pile driver crashed off the post with just a couple of minutes left to play, the overall consensus was that this was just not to be the Moles’ day.