Northwood crashed out of the Red Insure Cup ultimately on the end of a heavy defeat but they were well in the contest until the closing stages. Heavy traffic as ever on a Tuesday night meant the usual pre-match preparations were interrupted and Mark Burgess gave a run-out to Alex Nolan, Tommy Walsh and Rob Hastings who were in need of ninety minutes. There was also a debut for ex-Boreham Wood youngster Kamal McEwan on the left-wing with Sam Byfield ruled out with injury.

That debut was the only talking point in the early stages as there was less than two minutes on the clock when McEwan attacked down the left, was tackled by Charlie Hutton and as the Godalming player cleared, the Woods newcomer had his arm wrenched accidentally. It left him with the pain of a dislocated shoulder and a trip to the local hospital to put it back. So, there was an early introduction for Mason Yorke at left-back while Andy Lomas pushed further forward.

Godalming, who rested several of the players who had started the league game between the two sides a week earlier, were dominant in the early stages and the Woods defence had to be at their determined best to keep them out. However, after 16 minutes, they were awarded a free-kick on the left and Andy Crossley curled his shot into the top corner to give Berkley Laurencin no chance.

The Woods keeper was kept busy but without ever looking threatened and around the half-hour mark, Northwood began to get to grips with the wet, slippery surface. Nana Asamoah went close with a free-kick and then goalkeeper Richard Ossai slipped while attempting a kick-out and Ismael Ehui had a great chance to score but his first touch merely knocked the ball back to the home ‘keeper. But on 36 minutes, Nolan’s free-kick was only half-cleared and when the ball was knocked back to Nick Turner, he held it up before teeing up Ismael Ehui who rifled home an equaliser.

It took no time at all for Godalming to regain the lead. Jack Mazzone set up George Frith for a shot which Laurencin pushed wide and from the resulting corner, a goalmouth scramble led to Pietro Palladino stabbing the ball home from close-range. There was still time for one more Northwood chance but Asamoah again showed that his free-kick radar was out of action and he skied his shot over the top.

Dave Lawrence replaced goalscorer Ehui for the second half as he looked to regain fitness after missing a few weeks and after 52 minutes, the Woods seemed to have levelled again when an Asamoah corner was met by Perry Dicker’s near-post flick and Ossai seemed to have clawed the ball back from over the line but the assistant referee was adamant that it was no goal and play continued.

The Woods continued to press. Nolan shot well over after Joakim Ehui and substitute Michael Murray had combined to set him up and then Lawrence drove a low shot that fizzed only just wide. Asamoah was also closer than before with his strike from distance while the home side tried to get back in the game by bringing on substitutes Darren Wheeler and Marco Micaletto.

It had no immediate effect with Hastings beginning to look dangerous. He was hauled down for a free-kick that Murray blasted over the bar and then had a great chance of his own when fed by Murray into the area but his strike was well blocked by Ossai and the loose ball was cleared. But Godalming had survived and a quick break on 78 minutes led to a third, killer goal. The dangerous Wheeler broke down the left, knocked a cross into Mazzone and he slipped it on to Micaletto who took advantage of the stretched defence to take a touch and fire home.

There was no rallying cry and Godalming took almost full advantage. Wheeler netted a fourth goal four minutes later with an excellent solo effort that ended with a delightful chip into the top corner. Yorke then brought down Micaletto for a clear penalty but Laurencin kept the score down by diving the right way and saving Mazzone’s spot-kick. There was still more to come though as Micoletto showed excellent skills on the right to beat several defenders and the blast home a fifth for a resounding 5-1 scoreline.