After another week of heavy rain, I made my way up to Godalming Town’s Bill Kyte Stadium, for today’s game between the Southern Combination Division One league leaders and today’s visitors, Ringmer AFC.

The Bill Kyte stadium is welcoming and full of character. The pitch was in remarkably good condition, given the rain that fell until today. The main stand has wooden bench seating and there was a club shop and refreshment stands. As non-league grounds go at Step 6, this one is well worth a visit.

Godalming Town have put themselves in the driving seat in the SCFL Division 1 this season. They lead by three clear points from rivals Worthing United, but have three games in hand over them. The G’s have won thirteen, drawn six and lost just once under manager Mo Sher this season, hoping to secure the promotion they narrowly missed out on in 2024-25 when finishing third. Goals have come at a rate of almost two a game, with Mark Soares, (17 goals), Tayo Adekoya (7 goals) and Will May (6 goals) leading the way.

For the visitors, Ringmer AFC the season has brought more mixed fortunes. They have won nine, drawn four and lost eight of their opening twenty one matches, in their first season in the SCFL Division 1 since winning promotion from the mid-Sussex league. Manager Tommy Waddon would have known that today’s match away at the runaway league leaders, would present a real test for his side. He was looking hopefully to the form from leading goalscorers this season, Will Fenner (7 goals), Jake Lindsey (6 goals) and Jamie Blackford (5 goals) to give his team a fighting chance.

The game kicked off in bright winter sunshine, with Ringmer AFC in their change pink and black striped and Goldalming Town in their yellow and blue kit. The first half was closely fought with few clear cut chances as the players struggled to find their true passing range.

At the break the sides went in tied with the game goalless but everything still to play for. Ringmer AFC would have been pleased with the fight they showed in their first season first half. Godalming Town would have known they still had the ability to seal the match in the second half, given their track record this season.

The second half saw Ringmer AFC dominate possession for the first twenty minutes. Despite creating chances there was nothing to show for their pressure. Then the home team fired into action and began to create chances, with Tayo Adekoyo always working to create opportunities and Deji Alabi and Will Mayalways working to exploit any weaknesses.

However the Ringmer AFC back line, led by Charlie Northeast and protected by the work rate of Ellis Webster, stayed strong. Keeper Stefanos Akras also proved too tough to breach and despite late chances the game remained 0-0 at full time, which overall was a fair result.