Report

The Mark Dunn Show

 It happens very infrequently in the game of football when so much is owed by so many to one individual.  Saturday became that day. 3-0 down and another defeat staring the home side in the face, suddenly the unstoppable Dunny came to the fore.

Injured for much of the season but sporting a new short hairdo following his trip to the Barbers and obviously refreshed after a short break golfing  in Kerry, the match was turned on its head in a memorable last 18 minutes.

 72 Mins – A fine Guy Ullmann corner needs simply the slightest of headed touches to send the ball past the keeper and give Godalming the consolation goal they did in fairness deserve. One to Dunn.

76 Mins – Another Godalming attack and with the ball breaking to the edge of the box, Dunn was once again in the right place to lash the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

84 Mins. With Godalming breaking dangerously and in numbers, the impressive Shrubsole was hauled over in the area. Dunn, personifying calmness, poise and mental strength stroked the ball to the keepers left and Godalming had miraculously drawn level.

90 Mins. Another furious attack on the break, Shrubsole striding down the wing planted the most perfect of balls into the stride of Dunn who broke unchecked from the middle of the park and with perfect timing and exquisite technique guided the ball high into the roof of the net from 10 yards.

Against all the odds a 4-3 victory had been achieved. The whistle blew and the reserves largest crowd of the season, swelled by the watching first team and spectators drawn to this end of season affair by a delightfully warm spring afternoon, raced onto the pitch with unbounded delight.

Manager Nick Gill was reminiscent of David Pleat scampering across the turf at Maine Road many years ago and Dunny would have certainly been hoisted high onto the shoulders of his jubilant team mates, had he not been part of the working party taking the nets down...Well there is only so much glamour that amateur football can offer.

The other 10 players on the pitch all contributed to the victory in measures ranging from neglible to marginal but quite simply it needed superstar Dunny to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and single handedly  pull the team through.

The home changing room was raucous – 3-0 and you fu*cked it up was belted out in unison. At least until the main man walked in through the door. The sense of awe was all but tangible. Heads turned, mouths gaping open,  silence at once beckoned. A pregnant pause... ‘Correction’ he added impassively. ‘4-3 it was all down to me, 4-3.... 

A well deserved drink or two was waiting the hero of the hour in the bar. Not sure if he ate that night but he’ll certainly be dining out on these memories for a long while to come yet ..