Godalming crashed to their second successive defeat at the A2B Stadium, where second half goals from Jamie Brotherton, Paul Kennett and Stuart Axten were enough to secure all thee points for an impressive Worthing side. Chris Wales and Liam Pestle were on target for the G’s, but they were mere consolation on a night when Godalming were not clinical enough in the final third, dropping into second place in the Ryman Division One South table.

The game got off to a flying start, as the hosts missed the opportunity to take the lead within a minute. Ben Johnson was sent through the middle, but the striker fired his shot straight at Rodney Chiweshe. Godalming roared back, and in the 7th minute Luke Pigden headed Glen Stanley’s cross into the arms of Alan Mansfield. The rebels seemed somewhat shaky at the back, but going forward was a different story. They were quick on the break and accurate with their passing all night, and armed with some technically superb attacking players they were always a threat. Chiweshe was again called into duty in the 9th minute, the big goalkeeper tipping Jamie Brotherton’s swirling cross over the bar. However the 1st half did belong to Godalming, who created most of the chances, and the G’s should have taken the lead in the 22nd minute. Andy Ottley went on a marvellous run, cutting in from the right and beating 2 players before releasing Liam Pestle on the wing. Pestle crossed and Graeme Purdy, who timed his run to perfection, was desperately unlucky to see his thundering header fly just wide of the near post. Chris Wales was next to have a go as the defender trapped Pigden’s cross and shot over in the 27th minute before he came even closer 4 minutes later, curling Purdy’s knock down wide of Mansfield’s goal. Godalming’s best chance of the half came on the stroke of half time. Glenn Woodburn’s weak header back to Mansfield was quickly pounced upon by Kenny Ojukwu. Ojukwu rounded the goalkeeper but was at a narrow angle, and his shot was cleared off the line by Charlie Farmer. The clearance landed straight at Luke Pigden’s feet, but the former AFC Wimbledon man could not get his shot on target, and the teams went in at half time level.

Only 2 minutes of the 2nd half had been played when Worthing took the lead. The superb Ross Treleaven’s cross was missed by the G’s defence, and Jamie Brotherton was on hand to take 1 touch before driving the ball high into the roof of the net. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but Godalming’s heads did not go down, and only 2 minutes later they were level. Richard Taylor sent in a wonderful curling cross which was met by Chris Wales at the far post to equalise. The impressive Ottley showed great control before testing the home goalkeeper with a tricky volley, before the former Metropolitan Police man came even closer in the 52nd minute when he unleashed a 35 yard pile-driver which was very well saved by Mansfield. Stanley was next to test Mansfield, as the winger turned Woodburn in the 62nd minute before seeing his shot saved. The hosts began to step up a gear and the ball was staying in the Godalming half, and in the 63rd minute the Rebels were back in front. Charlie Axehurst’s corner drifted across the face of goal to the back post where skipper Paul Kennett was on hand to tap home. They could have extended their lead 2 minutes later, as Chiweshe made a superb save from Axehurst. Ben Williamson came on for Worthing and caused many problems. In the 70th minute he went on a mazy run down the right hand side before forcing Chiweshe into another smart stop, before he was denied superbly by the G’s goalkeeper as he raced through 1 on 1 after being released by Wayne Clarke. Worthing scored the crucial 3rd goal in the 78th minute. Axehurst sent in a difficult free kick and the ball dipped at the back post, where it was bundled home by Stuart Axten. The hosts were relentless and continued pushing forward, with Brotherton drilling wide in the 80th minute. The game seemed out of Godalming’s reach, but they were handed a lifeline in the 83rd minute. Ottley played a quick free kick to Pestle, whose cross missed everybody, deceived Mansfield and flew into the back of the net. The Rebels goalkeeper should have done better, but he made up for it with 3 minutes left when he made a spectacular 1 handed save, denying Ojukwu from close range. Taylor headed an Ottley corner at Mansfield but Godalming struggled to get behind the Worthing defence, and created no clear cut chances before the end of the match. In fact the hosts could have had a 4th, Williamson fizzing an effort wide deep into stoppage time.

Next up for Godalming is a trip to Gloucestershire on Sunday when they face Cirencester Town in the F.A. Trophy. The G’s host Merstham in the league cup on Tuesday, before travelling to King George’s Field to face Corinthian Casuals a week on Saturday.