25Nov01: North Downs v Croydon & North Downs 2 v Croydon 2

A late kick-off at Epsom College saw North Downs take on Croydon in the Premier League. After a very creditable draw in the alternate fixture last season, Croydon were keen to not under-estimate their opponents and put to bed their recent slow starts.

From the start, North Downs were not prepared to lie down and scored the first goal with a drop off the back of the post. As with the reserve team game beforehand, goals were traded by both sides after good long-shooting and penalties from each team especially from Ian Taylor and Ivan Aquino. At 4-4 after only five minutes, Croydon then started to press more and Janine Collier made her presence felt with several steals and blocks to stop North Downs' passing. As with the previous week, the Croydon girls checked in with long shots to pull out a two goal lead but Croydon could not build their lead into a substantial margin. Indeed North Downs drew level at 8 all before Steve Jones two relaxed long shots took his side into the break with a slender 10-8 scoreline.

Stern words could be heard from the Croydon huddle as coaches and captain made their views plain. The team talk seemed to work as the 2nd half saw a more precise, relaxed Croydon team press home their advantage with all four boys scoring in succession without reply from North Downs. Croydon were soon establishing a rhythm that they couldn't find in the previous week against, the admittedly stronger, Nomads. As their play flowed, the goals came from all over the team - Ivan Aquino the pick with 6 goals.

In a sometimes bruising encounter, many players of both teams picked up knocks and with ten minutes remaining Anna Tester of Croydon was replaced by Jenny Lee-Jacobs after a nasty bang on the elbow. With North Downs heads dropping, Croydon stretched away to eventually run out 20-11 winners with only 3 goals conceded in the 2nd half.

The real test for this Croydon team will be whether they can win the crunch matches against the more established clubs. For North Downs, their good long-shooting is well suited to the small Epsom hall and, if they can avoid injuries, their Premiership status should not be too troubled especially with new-comers Cambridge struggling so far this season.

The reserve league match was far closer, Croydon were boosted by the return of several players from unavailability and/or injury and were able to play their best side. Both teams started well with each end trading goals early on. As the game progressed, it was clear that one half was doing the majority of the scoring for both teams. North Downs took their chances well and after 10 minutes were 5-3 up with Croydon seeming to overcomplicate their attack rather than going for the simple jugular. Meanwhile North Downs maintained their two goal cushion but could not push on to establish a more comfortable margin. Jennie Allen and Ryan Dring led Croydon's first half scoring with the former netting 3 goals from 3 attempts. A late goal from South African Jenny Lee-Jacobs saw the teams into the break at 11-9 to North Downs.

The pattern of play continued in the same vain at the start of the 2nd half as goals were traded equally among the teams. Both teams then started defending more purposefully and the goals seemed to dry up. Croydon's defence held together and with time running out the scores were level at 15 all. With seconds remaining Croydon stole the match with a goal from Ryan Dring. A draw seemed a fair result but Croydon's tightening of defence in the 2nd half ultimately paid dividends as they took both points.

25Nov01: North Downs v Croydon & North Downs 2 v Croydon 2

A late kick-off at Epsom College saw North Downs take on Croydon in the Premier League. After a very creditable draw in the alternate fixture last season, Croydon were keen to not under-estimate their opponents and put to bed their recent slow starts.

From the start, North Downs were not prepared to lie down and scored the first goal with a drop off the back of the post. As with the reserve team game beforehand, goals were traded by both sides after good long-shooting and penalties from each team especially from Ian Taylor and Ivan Aquino. At 4-4 after only five minutes, Croydon then started to press more and Janine Collier made her presence felt with several steals and blocks to stop North Downs' passing. As with the previous week, the Croydon girls checked in with long shots to pull out a two goal lead but Croydon could not build their lead into a substantial margin. Indeed North Downs drew level at 8 all before Steve Jones two relaxed long shots took his side into the break with a slender 10-8 scoreline.

Stern words could be heard from the Croydon huddle as coaches and captain made their views plain. The team talk seemed to work as the 2nd half saw a more precise, relaxed Croydon team press home their advantage with all four boys scoring in succession without reply from North Downs. Croydon were soon establishing a rhythm that they couldn't find in the previous week against, the admittedly stronger, Nomads. As their play flowed, the goals came from all over the team - Ivan Aquino the pick with 6 goals.

In a sometimes bruising encounter, many players of both teams picked up knocks and with ten minutes remaining Anna Tester of Croydon was replaced by Jenny Lee-Jacobs after a nasty bang on the elbow. With North Downs heads dropping, Croydon stretched away to eventually run out 20-11 winners with only 3 goals conceded in the 2nd half.

The real test for this Croydon team will be whether they can win the crunch matches against the more established clubs. For North Downs, their good long-shooting is well suited to the small Epsom hall and, if they can avoid injuries, their Premiership status should not be too troubled especially with new-comers Cambridge struggling so far this season.

The reserve league match was far closer, Croydon were boosted by the return of several players from unavailability and/or injury and were able to play their best side. Both teams started well with each end trading goals early on. As the game progressed, it was clear that one half was doing the majority of the scoring for both teams. North Downs took their chances well and after 10 minutes were 5-3 up with Croydon seeming to overcomplicate their attack rather than going for the simple jugular. Meanwhile North Downs maintained their two goal cushion but could not push on to establish a more comfortable margin. Jennie Allen and Ryan Dring led Croydon's first half scoring with the former netting 3 goals from 3 attempts. A late goal from South African Jenny Lee-Jacobs saw the teams into the break at 11-9 to North Downs.

The pattern of play continued in the same vain at the start of the 2nd half as goals were traded equally among the teams. Both teams then started defending more purposefully and the goals seemed to dry up. Croydon's defence held together and with time running out the scores were level at 15 all. With seconds remaining Croydon stole the match with a goal from Ryan Dring. A draw seemed a fair result but Croydon's tightening of defence in the 2nd half ultimately paid dividends as they took both points.

Match Report by Andy


Final Score: North Downs 2 15 vs 16 Croydon 2

There were no Croydon scorers in this game.
Submitted by on 23 Oct 05

LDKA Premier League: Pelham 1 vs Croydon 3

Final Score: Croydon 3 4 vs 11 Pelham 1

There were no Croydon scorers in this game.
Submitted by on 06 Nov 05

LDKA League 1: Trojans 3 vs Croydon 4

Final Score: Croydon 4 12 vs 3 Trojans 3

There were no Croydon scorers in this game.
Submitted by on 06 Nov 05