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Whyteleafe were edged out by Godalming in an entertaining match that just about kept alive the visitors' hopes of a play-off place; 'Leafe in turn are almost guaranteed to maintain their status for next season. A win at Burgess Hill next week will end any lingering doubts. Nigel Ikolodo made a good impression on his first full game under Stuart Massey but sadly will not play again this season due to suspension.
Godalming started this game well and had the first good chance after ten minutes when Andy Ottley broke clear but Robert O'Hara held on to his shot. Two minutes later Nigel Ikolodo had 'Leafe's first good effort, forcing Gary Aulsberry to tip over his shot on the turn from a narrow angle.
A minute later Robbie Smith brought down Phil Williams in the box. Ottley took the kick and comfortably beat O'Hara to put the visitors ahead.
Ottley then tried his luck from 40 yards in the 21st minute with O'Hara off his line, but his shot went over the bar. 'Leafe equalised in the 29th minute with the best move of the match. Crisp first time passing from first, Asher Hudson to Jason Goodchild, and then on to Ikolodo, whose pace took him clear and he shot past the advancing Aulsberry.
Hudson went on a run down the right in the 39th minute, his cross was cleared as far as Goodchild 25 yards out, and he volleyed just over the bar. O'Hara had a bit of a let off just on half time when his clearance was blocked by Glen Stanley, but the ball rebounded wide of the post.
'Leafe went close in the 51st minute. Ikolodo sent Hudson down the right, his cross found Smith in the box and his touch beat Aulsberry, but his goalbound effort was cleared off the line by Benson Paka. Two minutes later Ikolodo almost scored again, but Aulsberry did well to get his fingertips to his shot and tip it over. The resultant corner was weakly punched clear to Broomhead whose shot went straight into the arms of the grateful keeper.
Godalming took the lead again in the 55th minute. Stanley chased a long ball with O'Hara rushing out. They got to the ball together and it ricocheted into the net.
'Leafe pushed hard for an equaliser. Ikolodo beat three defenders in the 58th minute before shooting just over the bar. Two minutes later a cross from Smith looked to have picked out Andy Martin at the far post but Aulsberry just managed to deflect the ball away from danger.
Stanley was fortunate to escape with a yellow card in the 62nd minute when he raised his arms to Broomhead. Broomhead headed on a 64th minute free kick in to the path of Martin, who turned and shot past Auberry to bring the scores level once again.
Godalming found the winner in the 70th minute. The normally dependable Ali Reeve made one mistake and it cost his side the match. He was beaten in the air by Graham Purdy who then ran on into the box. Purdy's shot went in off O'Hara and into the net.
Victor Kiri missed an easy chance to put the visitors further ahead. Ikolodo had a shot saved in the 78th minute when Sean Rivers headed on a long clearance. Ellis Conroy hit a fine cross in the 88th minute that James Mariner cleared just as Ikolodo was about to strike.
A minute from time Whyteleafe's last chance came from a Mark Hammond free kick that was hit long and found Conroy at the far post who's fierce volley went over the bar.
Whyteleafe: O'Hara, Hudson (Hammond 79), Harney, Reeve, Broomhead, Goodchild, Conroy, Smith, Martin (Hammond 85), Rivers, Ikolodo.