Eagles crash to Godalming loss

Bedford keeper Maxime Fondop Siwe was beaten three times on Saturday. Picture (c) Chris Riddell

The wind was playing havoc with the game, and the Eagles had it in their favour for the first half – nonetheless, chances at goal were at a premium.

In the 15th minute, Marcus Campbell and Mahmut Caglar combined on the edge of the Godalming area, but Campbell was bundled off the ball by Nick Hutchings.

Godalming came out of the blocks quickly for the second half, but Joao Andrade snatched his shot from the edge of the area, and the ball went wide.

It didn’t take long before the opening goal arrived, though. Just four minutes into the half, a header back looked to be a comfortable pick up for Maxime Fondop Siwe, but he was beaten to the ball by Andrade who poked the ball in to the net from close range.

Another three minutes into the game, a through ball left the Bedford defence stranded, and Rory Sellick stole in to slot the ball past Fondop Siwe.

Shortly after the hour mark, the game was safe for the visitors as Ashley Lloyd, 22 yards out, took advantage of the wind with a fierce shot that beat Fondop Siwe to crash off the underside of the bar and in.

The game was being played mostly in the Bedford half, but one attack a little later saw Campbell fire in a shot that was comfortably saved by Oneal Garnes.

Late in the game, Hutchings thought that anything that fellow defender Lloyd could do, he could do better. He was proved wrong, as his shot flew too high over the bar.

In the end, Bedford were well beaten, and can have no complaints with the scoreline.

The next game is on Saturday, when the Eagles are back at the Eyrie to welcome Aylesbury FC, k/o 3pm. Later, in the clubhouse, there will be free entry to the Bedford Town Race Night (7pm).

Eagles: Maxime Fondop Siwe, Kyal McNulty (c), Lee Hawkes, James Peters, Ollie Peters, Stuart Muldrew, James Hillsdon (Nathan Hilaire 58), Josh Beech, Marcus Campbell, Mahmut Caglar (Serigne Mor Diop 58), Matt Clifford (Bilal Yafai 74). Subs not used: Josh Bamford, Taishan Griffith.

Godalming Town: Oneal Garnes, Charlie Hutton, Nick Hutchings, Ashley Lloyd, Tom Willment, Chris Musgrove, Steve Laidler (Rory Sellick 37 [Pasha Taylor-Walker 71]), Liam Roberts, Joao Andrade (Danny Bassett 67), Darren Wheeler, Louis Hutton (c).