Croydon v Invicta After recent poor performances Croydon were keen to improve, but this would always be a hard game. The last match between the two saw Invicta netting 30 goals, and Croydon were keen to restore some pride. The first blood went to Invicta courtesy of a Rob Williams free-pass, but Croydon quickly pulled one back following a Kim Jones running-in shot. After the change of ends, James McDonald was credited with a drop-off goal even though Dave Butters couldn't have defended any closer and then the Invicta player scored again to bring the scores to 3-1. Goals were then traded for the next 15 minutes, and McDonald was lucky to escape without a yellow card after verbally abusing the referee, Graham Crafter. Shortly before half time, Adam Dibble ran Ross Car-Taylor into the Invicta captain Williams. After a clearly painful and dangerous play, with the decision going Croydon's way, Dibble tried to "explain" his play and earned himself a yellow card for dissent. Half time score 10-7 to Invicta. Croydon started well after the break, earning a quick penalty but could do little to restrict Invicta in attack. Invicta shortly followed with a penalty of their own, and then it appeared as if the Croydon attack simply lost all ideas. Sarah George and Marika Barretto were brought on alongside Jones and Butters in an attempt to inject some freshness. However this had little impact as Invicta continued to dominate. With the scores lying at 16-9, and with Invicta in full control, Williams felt the need to object to decisions and earned himself a yellow card. James McDonald shortly followed into the book after another bout of dissent. If Invicta are to challenge for the title then they will need to concentrate more on the game and keep out of the book. Final score 19-12. Croydon will be disappointed that they couldn't continue to push Invicta during the second half. However they will be buoyed by the fact that Nottingham, third place contenders, lost out to struggling Trojans. This relieves the pressure slightly but it's still likely that it will be a winner takes all in the match between the two teams in a fortnight's time. However before that, Croydon face Mitcham who now look like title favourites.Match Report by Andy Final Score: Invicta 1 19 vs 12 Croydon 1S Jones (5)I Aquino (2)D Butters (2)R Carr-Taylor (1)S de Jager (1)L MacKay-Elliott (0)K Jones (1)A Jeanes (0)M Carvey (0)S Withers (0)Submitted by Sarah on 22 Feb 04Croydon 2 v Invicta 2 After the loss to Nomads two weeks earlier, Croydon knew that a win was needed to stay in contention for the League title. Marika Barretto started her first second team game, due to the absence of Amanda Furlano, and alongside Julia Johnson, Dan Moore and Paul Jeanes they made up Croydon's first attack. Down the other end, Nigel Hudspith came back to the starting line-up and was partnered with Dan Pratt, Lynda Barker and Sarah George. Croydon made hard work of the first 10 minutes, the attack simply couldn't find the basket, and after working tirelessly it was inevitable that the defence would slip up after such a long period of play. However, after going 2-0 down, Croydon then started to play and scored the next 6 goals without any come back. Croydon then entered their second period of sloppy play, allowing Invicta back into the game and the half-time score stood at 7-6 for Croydon. Goals were traded throughout the second half with neither team dominating. Nick Collier was brought on as a substitute for Dan Pratt, but unfortunately it was too late and the honours were shared 13 all at full time.Match Report by Andy Final Score: Invicta 2 13 vs 13 Croydon 2P Jeanes (4)N Hudspith (2)D Moore (0)D Pratt (0)N Collier (0)L Barker (2)M Carvey (2)S Withers (2)J Johnson (1)Submitted by Sarah on 22 Feb 04Croydon 4 v Trojans 3 The 4ths lost to Trojans3 6-5, having brought the score back to 3-2 from 2-0 down. Half time the score was all square at 3 all. The Mitcham supplied ref, who also happened to be Trojans' coach, gave some "interesting" decisions (including 3 disallowed goals) that influenced the final outcome. Croydon were pleased to stay in the match despite this and were disappointed not to at least get a draw from the match.Match Report by Andy Final Score: Trojans 3 6 vs 5 Croydon 4S Pratt (2)S Mills (1)P Aish (0)C Etheridge (0)B Sinclair (2)D Holland (0)H Mansfield (0)Submitted by Andy on 24 Feb 04
Croydon 2 v Invicta 2 After the loss to Nomads two weeks earlier, Croydon knew that a win was needed to stay in contention for the League title. Marika Barretto started her first second team game, due to the absence of Amanda Furlano, and alongside Julia Johnson, Dan Moore and Paul Jeanes they made up Croydon's first attack. Down the other end, Nigel Hudspith came back to the starting line-up and was partnered with Dan Pratt, Lynda Barker and Sarah George. Croydon made hard work of the first 10 minutes, the attack simply couldn't find the basket, and after working tirelessly it was inevitable that the defence would slip up after such a long period of play. However, after going 2-0 down, Croydon then started to play and scored the next 6 goals without any come back. Croydon then entered their second period of sloppy play, allowing Invicta back into the game and the half-time score stood at 7-6 for Croydon. Goals were traded throughout the second half with neither team dominating. Nick Collier was brought on as a substitute for Dan Pratt, but unfortunately it was too late and the honours were shared 13 all at full time.Match Report by Andy Final Score: Invicta 2 13 vs 13 Croydon 2P Jeanes (4)N Hudspith (2)D Moore (0)D Pratt (0)N Collier (0)L Barker (2)M Carvey (2)S Withers (2)J Johnson (1)Submitted by Sarah on 22 Feb 04Croydon 4 v Trojans 3 The 4ths lost to Trojans3 6-5, having brought the score back to 3-2 from 2-0 down. Half time the score was all square at 3 all. The Mitcham supplied ref, who also happened to be Trojans' coach, gave some "interesting" decisions (including 3 disallowed goals) that influenced the final outcome. Croydon were pleased to stay in the match despite this and were disappointed not to at least get a draw from the match.Match Report by Andy Final Score: Trojans 3 6 vs 5 Croydon 4S Pratt (2)S Mills (1)P Aish (0)C Etheridge (0)B Sinclair (2)D Holland (0)H Mansfield (0)Submitted by Andy on 24 Feb 04
Croydon 4 v Trojans 3 The 4ths lost to Trojans3 6-5, having brought the score back to 3-2 from 2-0 down. Half time the score was all square at 3 all. The Mitcham supplied ref, who also happened to be Trojans' coach, gave some "interesting" decisions (including 3 disallowed goals) that influenced the final outcome. Croydon were pleased to stay in the match despite this and were disappointed not to at least get a draw from the match.Match Report by Andy Final Score: Trojans 3 6 vs 5 Croydon 4S Pratt (2)S Mills (1)P Aish (0)C Etheridge (0)B Sinclair (2)D Holland (0)H Mansfield (0)Submitted by Andy on 24 Feb 04
