Valley’s promotion hopes take a hit at Godalming - The Rugby Observer

Valley’s promotion hopes take a hit at Godalming

Rugby Editorial 18th Mar, 2015 Updated: 27th Oct, 2016   0

A CONTROVERSIAL penalty condemned Valley to a 2-1 defeat at Godalming Town which has given their promotion hopes from the Evo-Stik Southern League – Central Division a slight setback

After a relatively encouraging first period from Dave Stringer’s side, Rugby then conceded shortly after the re-start before having appeared to have salvaged a point when substitute Justin Marsden struck with just seven minutes remaining.

But Jack Mazzone converted from the spot after Craig Kelly was adjudged to have pulled down Mazzone in the box and the home striker stole all three points from the spot.

Once an unchanged Town had dealt with the early threat of the hosts which saw Adam Cornell twice go close, the visitors went on to have the better of the remainder of the first half.




Their first chance came after a good run down the left hand side by full-back Kelly who created a shooting opportunity for Sam Youngs, but his 20-yard effort flew just over the bar.

Richard Gregory headed Youngs’ cross from the by-line straight at keeper Richard Ossai, and then the move of the half had Gregory, Richard Blythe and Youngs combining well to set-up Lewis Rankin, but Ossai managed to parry away the teenager’s powerful low strike.


A Youngs’ corner almost found its way into the net via a G’s defender just ahead of the interval, and as the teams returned from the dressing rooms, hopes were high that Rugby could finally find that elusive opening goal.

However it was Godalming that broke the deadlock after just five further minutes.

Will Hutton’s low cross from the right was met by Cornell and he bundled the ball over the line via Valley keeper Richard Morris who received a knock in the process and had to receive lengthy treatment before being able to continue.

Rugby struggled to regain a foothold on the game after this setback, although Blythe did head a great chance straight at Ossai from eight yards after Ben George had picked him out with a good cross.

At the other end, Morris did well to keep out a Mazzone header, with the same player then drilling another effort just wide of the upright.

On 83 minutes the visitors levelled things up, with Rankin, Seb Lake-Gaskin and Youngs all involved before Marsden raced clear and lobbed home over Ossai.

However within a minute the travelling fans’ joy turned to despair, when Kelly was harshly adjudged to have pulled back Mazzone in the box, and the striker himself stepped up to send his penalty past Morris – although the keeper did manage to get a hand to the powerful strike.

Richard Blythe wins an important header. (s) Photo by Martin Pulley

Lewis Rankin unleashes an effort towards goal. (s) Photo by Martin Pulley

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