A County Cup game and a local derby rolled into one on a wet, cold, November night, although the overall performance was certainly one to warm the few spectators that came along to watch with Cranleigh dominating the game from start to finish. Alongside the 2-2 draw against Holmsdale in October this was probably Cranleigh’s most accomplished performance of the season.
Cranleigh started with a 3-5-2 line up, and from the first whistle Cranleigh dominated possession and spent much of the time in Godalming’s half. Within a few minutes a slick piece of inter play on the right hand side saw Harry Nicholas, (making an impressive first start), played through into the left half of the penalty box and a cool finish into the bottom right hand corner followed. Godalming were camped in their own half and tried to play from the back although with little success as George Hughes, Harry Nicholas and Jonah Harewood worked hard to shut down short passes from the goalkeeper/defenders. Meanwhile, Harvey Stiles and Owen Bartlett continued to push on both wings and a number of half chances were created but could not be taken. Godalming had little chance to press with any opportunities essentially due to Cranleigh’s over elaboration and losing the ball, although Ethan Styles was always on his toes and came off his line on a number of occasions to act as an additional sweeper. The first half ended with a well deserved, but slender lead, to Cranleigh.
The second half commenced with the reliable Charlie Dyer replacing Ollie Ferrier who had another solid first half but continues to struggle with a back injury. The pattern of play was very much the same as the first with Ciaran Lynch and Tom Barker controlling the centre of the park and breaking up any sign of a Godalming attack and with any long through balls being comfortably dealt with by Jack Coleman and Jamie Kaffo who probably did not lose a tackle or header all night. As Cranleigh continued to press the ball broke to Tom Barker who moved the ball on to his right foot and curled a delightful shot in to the right hand corner from 25-yards. Aaron Alderton replaced George Hughes to inject some additional pace into the game and shortly followed by Harvey Styles, who limped off injured, although not before adding another goal to his tally for the season. Cranleigh managed the game to the end with only some last ditch defending and fine goalkeeping restricting the score.
A comfortable 3-0 win for Cranleigh with the score perhaps understating their dominance although will provide a much needed moral boost ahead of a visit to Woking in the next round.
