Godalming Town 1 Woking 1
(Godalming won 2-0 on penalties)
Surrey Senior Cup
4th March 2013


Woking were finally defeated by Godalming Town and dumped out of the Surrey Senior Cup after a disappointing penalty shoot-out following stalemate after 120 minutes at Wey Court.

Goldalming, flying high in the Evo-Stik Southern Central Division, created more clear-cut chances throughout the game. But thanks to some excellent saves from ‘Man of the Match’ Elvijs Putnins and impressive defending from the Cards' young centre back pairing the hosts were unable to see off their more illustrious visitors in ninety minutes or extra time.

Garry Hill, with a tough game against Mansfield in two days' time to take into account, unsurprisingly fielded a young side made up largely of reserves, Academy players and a couple of “fringe� first teamers. On a bitterly cold night and playing on an uneven surface, the Cards struggled to play with much fluency and found it difficult to create many goal-scoring opportunities.

From the off Godalming looked to attack and within two minutes Harris had blazed over the bar from the corner of the penalty box to provide the defence with an early warning of what was to follow.

At the other end Brett Williams had a wonderful chance to give the visitors an early lead when his pace took him clear of the Godalming defence as he chased down a long Woking clearance. But, one-on-one with the keeper, the striker hesitated and Somerville saved with his legs.

Godalming largely dominated possession without really stretching the Woking defence, well marshalled by Moore and Taylor. Woking did manage to create a number of half chances for themselves as McCallum saw his effort blocked after twenty-four minutes, a Mazzone header was then half cleared and Wright’s follow-up shot was wide.

Wheeler fizzed a long-range effort wide of Putnin’s goal before Dyer, on for Foulser, with the hosts' best chance of the half managed to get in behind the defence. But his effort was scrambled away by the Cards. A Godalming corner coming just before the break saw a Lake effort cleared off the line to see both sides remaining all square at the break.

Half-time: Godalming Town 0 Woking 0

Goldalming continued to exert most of the pressure as the second half got underway. A dangerous run down the left by Wheeler provided a wonderful opportunity for Godalming as he drove the ball across the Woking six-yard box. With the goal at his mercy, Dyer dived to head wide of the post.

A period of Woking pressure saw a Mazzone effort fly wide of the post and then the young forward ruled offside as he benefitted from good work from Griffiths in the Godalming box. But just past the hour mark the Cards finally broke the deadlock.

Brett Williams used his pace to get to the byeline before rolling the ball across the six-yard box for Griffiths to tap home from close range into the empty net.

Godalming, spurred on by this set-back, pushed forward with even greater intent and Woking had Putnins to thank for a number of fine saves and some less than accurate finishing from the home side.

However, a deserved equaliser arrived with ten minutes remaining. A long throw from Hollis into the Woking area resulted in some head tennis. The Cards' defence for once were unable to clear the ball decisively and Read found time to turn on a bouncing ball and slam it into the net from close range.

Full Time: Godalming Town 1 Woking 1

Godalming, who had a number of opportunities to seal the tie, largely dominated extra time. But Putnins was in fine form as he turned a Harris effort over the bar and then expertly tipped a fierce volley from McClurg away for a corner.

In the second period Woking did manage to create a couple of half chances as Fahm put his shot wide from ten yards and Somerville saved at the feet of Mazzone.

With two minutes remaining Godalming had a wonderful opportunity to finish the tie with Harris clean through on goal but he only managed to put his shot wide of Putnins’ left-hand post with the goal at his mercy.

And so to penalties and the less said about this the better. Suffice to say that Woking, unlike Godalming, were unable to score from their first three penalties and with Putnins managing to keep out Short’s effort it was left for Williams to keep the Cards in the match and the competition. But, as with what had gone before, his penalty was comfortably saved by Somerville and the Cup holders were out of the competition.


Woking: Elvijs Putnins, Louis Meech, Rene Steer (Adam Brice 60), Niall Wright (Michael Fahm 78), Phil Moore, Lewis Taylor, Josh Griffiths, George Frith, Jack Mazzone, Brett Williams, Gavin McCallum (Jake Hicks 85)

Unused subs: Jordayne Henry, Liam Allan

Goal Scorer: Josh Griffiths 63

Godalming Town: Jake Somerville, Wes Harrison, Ryan Lake, Guy Hollis, Adam Foulser (Johnnie Dyer 21), George Short, Scott Harris, Jamie McClurg, Dan Read, Darren Wheeler (Gavin Smith 84), Jack Broome

Unused subs: Warren Harris, Jon Underwood

Goal Scorer: Dan Read 80


Attendance: 341


MOTM: Elvijs Putnins – some fine saves kept Woking in the game particularly during extra time.