Taking on an unbeaten Cranleigh side sporting the likes of recent ex pro Ricky Newman Godalming were expecting a tough test and so it proved...told to keep it tight for the first 15 minutes and with a set game plan in mind Godalming came out of the blocks second and found themselves a goal down after 2 minutes. Further soft goals followed as Cranleigh took a 3-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes. Outpaced, outfought and leaving gaping holes at the back it was proving to be a stroll in the park for a Cranleigh side who were still only in second gear.
A fourth followed just before the interval when then hard-working Josh Ackroyd was caught on the ball. Soft goals. Match over.
The second half however proved a very different affair. Godalming dropped deeper to double up on the ever dangerous Curtis Beecroft and with a newly found work ethic completed with a five man midfield the half became more even.
Cranleigh certainly had the better chances and will probably rue the fact that they didn't add to the half time score but Godalming could still walk off the pitch at the end of the match with their pride intact. Some good performances from man of the match Mikal Mursaleen and the enterprising Alex Barclay together with a pleasing debut from new boy James Boudray were positives that Godalming could take out of this defeat but yet again it was a performance of contrasting halves.
If manager Nick Gill cannot soon find the winning combinationand consistency then he may soon find that the writing is on the wall....pressure ? - this is the modern game and in front of the biggest crowd of the season the supporters are demanding more. Next week at the Bourne will be a further test for the manager and his players. Time to deliver boys.