Godalming survived a second-half comeback to secure a place in the Surrey Senior Cup quarterfinals after Richard Taylor’s 67th minute header finally killed off the stubborn Combined Counties opponents. Glen Stanley scored twice before the break to put the G’s in control but the Blues fought back to draw level thanks to goals from Scott Todd and Gary Puckett.

With their opponents sitting in 5th place in the Combined Counties with games in hand on all the sides above them Godalming knew Chessington would be tricky opposition, and the opening exchanges were even. Adam Haddad, earning a rare start, volleyed over in the 9th minute before Adam Weir burst down the left and squared for skipper Todd, but Godalming goalkeeper Gary Aulsberry was equal to the shot. With the game somewhat short of quality it was no surprise to see the hosts take the lead in the 27th minute with a somewhat fortuitous goal. Richard Taylor launched a throw-in into the penalty area where Leon Canning could only clear the ball to the edge of the box. Luke Pigden drilled in a shot which seemed to be heading towards Michael Sharp but Stanley was in the right place at the right time to divert the ball beyond the Blues stopper and into the net. The game continued as a cagey affair until the final few minutes leading up to half-time. In the 43rd minute Graeme Purdy headed Andy Ottley’s corner into Sharp’s arms before the G’s were awarded a penalty in 1st half injury time. Purdy was put through on goal by Ottley but was hacked down by Paul West, and the referee had no qualms in pointing to the spot. Stanley stepped up and fired the penalty into the bottom left corner with Sharp motionless for his 12th goal of the season.

The visitors made an impressive start to the 2nd period and lead on by their all-action captain Scott Todd they soon found a way back into the match. After mounting some pressure on the Godalming goal they eventually got their reward when Richard Taylor was penalized for clattering into James White when challenging for a long ball. Todd confidently stroked the ball beyond Aulsberry and, urged on by some vocal traveling officials, the Blues nearly leveled when Darren Smith brilliantly brought down a long ball before seeing his shot palmed away by the G’s stopper. The Chessington pressure was relentless and they came desperately close to grabbing an equaliser in the 61st minute. Todd sent in a dangerous cross to the near post where White reached the ball ahead of Aulsberry and deflected it into the centre of the box. With the goal at his mercy Paul Timber swung for the ball and missed it, before Smith fired in a shot which was miraculously blocked by Taylor. If Godalming thought they had been let of the hook they were wrong as the Blues soon made it 2-2. Todd went on a mazy run down the right wing and sent in another fine cross which Aulsberry flapped at, and the ball dropped for Gary Puckett to divert home. After dominating the 2nd half the game seemed to have swung Chessington’s way, but just 4 minutes after restoring parity they found themselves behind once again. Pigden drifted in a corner and Taylor rose above the masses to plant a header into the roof of the net, with Sharp once again stationary. Chessington fought back once more and Weir fired over before substitute George Baldock saw his 25 yard effort saved by Aulsberry. Stanley missed the chance to bag a hat-trick when he drilled a shot over but it was not to matter as Godalming held on to reach the quarter-finals and a trip to Walton & Hersham.

After over a month since their last home league fixture the G’s host promotion rivals Worthing in a mouth-watering clash at Weycourt on Saturday January 30th. A Godalming win would see them overtake the Rebels into 2nd place, and after the thrilling 3-2 defeat at the A2B Stadium in October this game is sure to be full of entertainment. Chuck Martini’s men then look to defeat Leatherhead for the 3rd time this season when they entertain the Tanners in the League Cup the following Tuesday.