Kingfisher 2 vs Croydon 2 Kingfisher 2 hosted Croydon 2 at teeny Fort Pitt Grammar School in an early start for both teams. Croydon started with Nigel Hudspith, Zu Munshi, Lynda Barker and Becky Pratt with Becky Tobitt and Julia Johnson, Vernon Ellis and Paul Jeanes in defence. Kingfisher fielded a typically young but vibrant team including Croydon old-girl Tammy Kentfield. Kingfisher started the quicker with a rash penalty conceded by Jeanes but Croydon followed up with a great team goal: Barker fed Hudspith, who ran in, was covered and so threw back to Munshi to net from distance. If the away bench was purring after that, they were soon in further fine voice as Kentfield was the 2nd Kingfisher to encroach at a free-pass leaving Jeanes to score his own penalty, shortly followed an interception and score from Ellis to leave Croydon 1-3 up after 8 minutes. Munshi was in fine fettle and dropped off to score Croydon's 4th before Kingfisher woke up a bit and the scoring dried up for 5 minutes. During this time, Croydon switched to a slightly less forceful defence as coach Butters had seen too many people over-committing in the first 10 minutes. However Ellis gave away another free-pass which the hosts converted but Kingfisher over-committed and were punished by a one-handed free-pass from Jeanes. As time ran out the home team netted a penalty, Croydon should have been further ahead at the break but will have been pleased to have conceded no goals from open play with the teams at 3-5 as the whistle went. Barker opened the scoring in the 2nd half with a running in shot but the hosts scored another free-pass and tension started to show in both teams as chances were missed. Kingfisher scored their first goal from open play and Jeanes earnt himself a yellow card for arguing that the post had been moved (it had certainlly wobbled but it was not clear who was the culprit) as the hosts applied some good pressure. Tobitt scored a well-worked drop-off and Munshi scored again before Croydon won another penalty (secured by Withers' roar from the sidelines) which Hudspith converted, 5-9. However Kingfisher coach, Carr Taylor, disagreed with ref Dibble's decision and he was quick to produce not one but two yellow cards sending Carr-Taylor off and out. This only seemed to egg both teams on and bodies were thrown around for a minute or so before Kingfisher sensibly called a time-out. Initially it didn't have the desired effect as Ellis intercepted again and Jeanes dropped off to score but 2 quick goals from Kingfisher brought them back into the game at 7-10. Munshi had had a stellar first half but quiet start to the 2nd but he beat his player, passed off to Hudspith, who dropped back and scored. Barker won a penalty, converted by Jeanes and Croydon were rocking again. Hudspith conceded a slightly dubious penalty and so the visitors called another time out. With four minutes left, Munshi scored a fine running in shot from a Hudspith interception and then capped his best performance in a Croydon shirt with a long shot from down town. Final score: a comfortable 8-14 to Croydon. Kingfisher huffed and puffed and to their credit never gave in but Croydon were in the ascendency for much of the match and deserved their win. Kingfisher 1 vs Croydon 1 After the league match, Kingfisher 1 played Croydon 1 in a friendly. Croydon lined up with Dave Butters, Jane Belfourd, Dan Pratt and Anna Jeanes with Sarah Withers, Grace Stimpson, Gary Heath and a rotation of 2nd team subs in defence. Kingfisher were ahead inside a minute with a penalty goal and referee Jeanes spotted another two offences on the other end but Heath missed both chances from the penalty spot and so the scores stayed at 1-0. Heath made amends though, converting from under the post and Butters stroked his pen to give the visitors the lead. However Kingfisher took their chances and the scored stayed at 3-2 for a good ten minutes as Croydon's passing let them down in the pressurised atmosphere of a small hall. Pratt over-committed to let Kingfisher in again but Butters scored a typically unerring long shot before Croydon confusion at a Kingfisher free-pass gifted the home team an easy goal. Munshi came on for Hudspith and scored a 6th for the day with another drop-off but the teams were nearly neck and neck at 5-4 at the break. In the 2nd half, Croydon's 2nd attack had 4 players who probably hadn't played before and how it showed as they lacked a leader and lost all fluiduity. A painful 15 minutes of no goals ensued until Stimpson was given a dubious goal under the post. Frustration was obvious in Croydon's play as evidenced by 4 long balls in succession from player-coach Butters that resulted in turn-overs each time. Fortunately the Croydon 1st attack were more composed and free-flowing but after Kingfisher scored 2 more chances, they weren't able to over-haul the 2 goal deficit and the tepid 2nd half ended. Final score 7-5 to the hosts. In truth a poor game from two pretty average sides but both teams had people doubling up and a friendly is never quite the real thing is it? Match Report by Andy Final Score: Kingfisher 2 8 vs 14 Croydon 2Z Omar (5)P Jeanes (4)N Hudspith (2)V Ellis (1)L Barker (1)B Tobitt (1)J Johnson (0)B Sinclair (0)Submitted by on 05 Nov 06
