Croydon 1 out-score Nomads 1 After their worst start to a season for at least 5 years, Croydon were looking for a strong performance against fellow under-achievers Nomads at Epsom School. Croydon started with 2 changes to their line-up with Marika Barretto in for Kim Jones and Andy Withers in place of Nigel Hudspith. Nomads got off a flying start though with 2 goals from 3 shots as they instantly found their range. However Croydon's girls were soon on the 'sheet as Anna Jeanes netted two long shots and Carla Smith converted a running in shot. Croydon were enjoying the opening exchanges and a long shot from Ross Carr-Taylor and drop-off from Dave Butters enabled them to stretch to a 2-5 lead after 10 minutes. Nomads came back with Richard Burrows scoring from distance and despite a Paul Jeanes goal, the teams were soon level as Nomads' girls found their range. Croydon's defence was not looking its sharpest as lose balls were not being pounced on and the 50-50s were going to the hosts. Nomads scored a penalty late on in the half to bring them to the break ahead at 8-7. Nomads were able to repel Croydon's attacks at the start of the new half and soon built on their lead, even taking it to 3 goals at 11-8 but Croydon were to roar back in the next 15 minutes to ultimately bring them the points. Butters found his range and the Croydon girls came to the fore again with goals from Barretto, Smith and a well-marshalled Saskia de Jager. A further goal for Smith and dubious penalty for the visitors enabled them to stretch to a 11-14 as Nomads' gameplan started to waver. The hosts replied but 2 further goals from Butters led Nomads to call a time-out with 4 minutes remaining and 4 goals separating the sides. Croydon showed their experience by playing a patient game while Nomads looked to up the tempo. Mistakes came and, despite a last second score against Withers, Croydon were safely home 14-16. A win at last for the visitors, more work required for Nomads Match Report by Andy Final Score: Nomads 1 14 vs 16 Croydon 1D Butters (5)P Jeanes (3)R Carr-Taylor (1)A Withers (0)C Smith (3)A Jeanes (2)M Carvey (1)S de Jager (1)Submitted by on 27 Nov 05Croydon 2 snatch a defeat from the jaws of... Croydon 2 were looking for more points against Nomads but ended up empty handed in this topsy turvy game. Croydon started with new boy Dave Hall making his full debut for the 2nds. The game started badly with mistakes all round but neither side were really able to take advantage. However it was Croydon who took an early lead with the first of 4 goals from Kim Jones. Indeed it was Croydon's girls who were taking their chances as Sarah George also found the back of the net a couple of times either side of half time. Croydon maintained their composure to leave themselves 4 goals to the good at the break 7-11. Nomads were not done yet though and scored the next 2 goals before Zu Munshi netted some close in shots and a penalty from Nigel Hudspith brough Croydon into a 15-10 lead - a high score for this stage of most matches. Nomads must have thought they'd blown it as a Dan Pratt penalty went in but from here Croydon started to look stretched and despite a goal from Lynda Barker, they roared back to level the game at 17-all. The teams tied up a bit now as the pressure mounted but, despite the last of Jones' goals, it was Nomads who miraculously ended up on top at 19-18. A poor return for a game that Croydon should have and would have won if they were less sloppy. Any team that scores 18 in a Reserve League game would expect to be on the winning side but the visitors were left stunned as Nomads took all the points. Match Report by Andy Final Score: Nomads 2 19 vs 18 Croydon 2Z Omar (3)N Hudspith (3)D Pratt (3)D Hall (0)K Jones (4)S Withers (4)L Barker (1)A Tydeman (0)Submitted by on 27 Nov 05
Croydon 2 snatch a defeat from the jaws of... Croydon 2 were looking for more points against Nomads but ended up empty handed in this topsy turvy game. Croydon started with new boy Dave Hall making his full debut for the 2nds. The game started badly with mistakes all round but neither side were really able to take advantage. However it was Croydon who took an early lead with the first of 4 goals from Kim Jones. Indeed it was Croydon's girls who were taking their chances as Sarah George also found the back of the net a couple of times either side of half time. Croydon maintained their composure to leave themselves 4 goals to the good at the break 7-11. Nomads were not done yet though and scored the next 2 goals before Zu Munshi netted some close in shots and a penalty from Nigel Hudspith brough Croydon into a 15-10 lead - a high score for this stage of most matches. Nomads must have thought they'd blown it as a Dan Pratt penalty went in but from here Croydon started to look stretched and despite a goal from Lynda Barker, they roared back to level the game at 17-all. The teams tied up a bit now as the pressure mounted but, despite the last of Jones' goals, it was Nomads who miraculously ended up on top at 19-18. A poor return for a game that Croydon should have and would have won if they were less sloppy. Any team that scores 18 in a Reserve League game would expect to be on the winning side but the visitors were left stunned as Nomads took all the points. Match Report by Andy Final Score: Nomads 2 19 vs 18 Croydon 2Z Omar (3)N Hudspith (3)D Pratt (3)D Hall (0)K Jones (4)S Withers (4)L Barker (1)A Tydeman (0)Submitted by on 27 Nov 05
