It has been Northwood’s away record that has prevented them from challenging for the play-offs this season, with the victory at Potters Bar in the last game on their travels being only their second away win of the season, but the in-form Woods were hoping to maintain their recent form on this trip to Surrey.

Despite the recent rain and with several matches postponed in the division, Godalming’s pitch was in excellent condition and there was only the strong wind to battle against in Saturday’s mid-table clash. It was the third meeting between the two sides this season, having drawn 1-1 at Northwood Park earlier in the season, while the G’s recorded a fairly easy 5-1 success in a Red Insure Cup game at Wey Court; though most of the goals came late in the contest. The midfield was changed once again with James Burgess and Perry Dicker returning to the centre, while Joakim Ehui was preferred to brother Ismael in the four-man attack.

The home side attacked with the blustery wind mainly behind them and within the first minute, danger-man Darren Wheeler latched onto a loose ball and attempted to chip Berkley Laurencin in goal but the Woods goalkeeper collected it high and safely. Northwood then enjoyed a good spell. Rob Hastings quickly established his credentials on the right with a good run and cross which goalkeeper Richard Ossai collected well.

Then, Dicker found Hastings again and the pacy wide-man cut in to strike but this was also well saved by Ossai. Soon after, Niko Muir found Michael Murray centrally who played a neat one-two with Hastings before firing a shot which flashed only just wide.

The G’s started to enjoy more possession and on 20 minutes Jack Mazzone got in a good header down and goalwards but Wheeler was given offside when he tried to convert from close-range. The Woods hit back almost immediately as a channel ball gave Muir an opportunity and his chip had Ossai beaten but the ball dropped onto the roof of the net.

The home side then had their best chance on 24 minutes as a long-throw was headed on by Graeme Purdy and Wheeler ghosted in round the back only to fire well over. The game continued to entertain with Godalming’s Steve Brown firing into the side-netting while Muir fired high and wide from a good position after a good ball from Ehui. The strikers continued to misfire. Wheeler hit a hopeful overhead shot that flew wide and when Dicker lost possession in midfield, Purdy broke through on goal but then shot straight at Laurencin when he looked likely to score.

Purdy hit another good volley that was deflected wide as Godalming continued to threaten with Laurencin collecting a Roberts header well and Wheeler slicing another shot high and wide before the break. The game continued to ebb and flow in the second half, with Wheeler showing tricky feet in the box before stabbing a shot that Laurencin saved comfortably and then Murray exchanged passes with Hastings before firing a shot wide of the far post.

The next few chances that were created ended with efforts on target but again each of them failed to stretch two in-form goalkeepers. Purdy had a free header at a corner but failed to get enough power on it and then a Muir knock-down fell to James Burgess whose low shot was well gathered by Ossai. Murray then latched onto a Hastings ball and sent over a good cross which Muir headed goalwards but again Ossai was behind it.

After 71 minutes Andy Lomas fed Ehui down the right and he got forward well before cutting the ball back for Murray whose strike was well saved by the keeper. Godalming countered almost immediately and a channel ball had Wheeler going through on goal with the Woods defence looking in vain for offside. But Laurencin was the hero as he raced out of goal and then claimed the ball at Wheeler’s feet as he looked to go past him.

The game could still have gone either way at this stage and after Will Hudson had replaced James Burgess, a quick attack saw Ehui find Muir in space but again his strike went straight at Ossai’s gloves like a magnet. George Nicholas and Dave Lawrence came on for Dicker and Muir as the Woods looked for fresh legs and there was just one more chance for each side towards the end of the battle.

After 85 minutes a Murray corner was headed on by Mark Burgess but always wide of the far post. Then a run and cross from Wheeler down the left looked to set up a good chance for one-time Woods striker Adam Cornell but Steve Brown made a superb block for a corner which came to nothing.

In the end, both sides had to settle for a point apiece. Godalming will have been pleased to have kept their first clean sheet since mid-October while the Woods will be happy that they extended their unbeaten run to six games since early December. Next up, weather permitting, is a home game against Barton Rovers, who have held the upper hand in three previous encounters with Northwood this season.