Croydon 1 vs Norwich City 1 Croydon took on Norwich City with Andy Withers back from injury to replace Vernon Ellis. Norwich City appeared to have the same youthful team as in the reverse fixture. The game started in ominous fashion for the visitors as Croydon's first attack was a 10 shot affair with the ball being retained with ease. They didn't score but soon after Butter penetrated and referee Mike Taylor awarded a penalty. Butters' shot fell short though and it was left to the girls to get the scoring started as Grace Stimpson and then Becky Pratt scored from range, from downtown, from distance and with long shots (ok Nigel?). Withers then scored a fade-away as Croydon again took advantage of a restart. However City were trying hard and Charlie Vogwill converted a penalty conceded by Zu Omar. Butters scored from range and then it was "blam blam, thank you madame" as Croydon applied the screws in defence with Withers and then Butters blamming their opponents. Croydon were running away with it after a drive from Omar fed Butters for a drop-off and Jane Belfourd beat her player to score a runner from a feed from Withers. She followed up with a short sharp chance and the score was 7-1 with only 10 minutes gone. The goals continued to flow and Omar scored a beauty from distance and Butters got in on the act as well. Omar conceded again though and Norwich called a time-out at 9-2. Vogwill, a Harry Potter look a like, used some more magic to fool Omar and despite another goal from Butters, City were finding their feet and they scored a peach from distance that didn't touch the sides. Croydon were mostly cruising though and the number of chances being created upset their normal rhythm and they became a bit sloppy, however a long shot from in front from Withers put that right and he followed this up with a drive that resulted in a (harshly awarded) penalty which Gary Heath converted. As time ran out on an exciting half, Pratt scored from under the post, half time 13-4. City stepped up a level in the 2nd half and Croydon couldn't find a way through in the first 10 minutes as mistakes crept in and it was City who broke the deadlock with a short goal after Belfourd over-committed. Heath scored from distance though and City called a 2nd time-out to reward their 2nd half efforts. Anna Jeanes, who otherwise had a quiet match, scored from the side and Butters converted a free-pass but City were not done yet and Withers wasn't tight enough as his player dropped off the back to score. Heath scored another from range though and Jeanes penetrated and hoiked in a running in shot. City were taking their meagre chances though and their girls made Croydon pay as the hosts relaxed and time ebbed away. Final score: 19-8. Croydon were always in control of the match and it was inevitable that the foot would come off the pedal a little in the 2nd half, however, despite every Croydon player scoring, the team missed a host of simple chances around the post (Withers and Butters the main culprits) and also missed the odd running in shot, so more to work on. For City, it was a good performance overall. They lack height, muscle and experience but the right signs are there for this young team.Match Report by Andy Final Score: Croydon 1 19 vs 8 Norwich City 1D Butters (6)G Heath (3)A Withers (2)Z Omar (1)J Hudspith (2)A Jeanes (2)B Sinclair (2)G Codd (1)Submitted by Andy on 25 Feb 07EKA Reserve League: Mitcham 2 vs Croydon 2 Final Score: Croydon 2 8 vs 25 Mitcham 2V Ellis (3)J Furlano (1)D Moore (1)D Pratt (1)B Tobitt (1)L Barker (1)A Furlano (0)J Johnson (0)Submitted by Andy on 27 Feb 07Croydon 3 vs North Downs 2 The thirds had North Downs 2 and we had a different starting line up. In attack Andy, Mick, Sarah and I with defense as Steve Palf, Simon, Becky D and Emma. oh my goodness, my match reports are vague at the best of times but my head is a complete blank folks! I put it down to all the painkillers. I think but am really not sure that we did score first and then so did North Downs so all change. Simon then with his first attack scored from distance which seemed to get the buzz Croydon meant business. If only it were that easy. We had good passing generally and lots of shots. Emma's section had Ian D to contend with and did really well as he was jumping all over and using his height. Shots were put up by all and most of us did score, yippee. We did win but I feel didn't make it as easy as could have been. Everyone worked hard (probably me the least, sorry) not an extra breathe in anyone. It's good when you work hard and get the result but enough of me trying to be serious... that's all I'm gonna write cos we won and I hope everyone is happy and enjoyed their game as you all did gooood! xx PS Pass of the match was Emma's carefully considered throw straight to the red and black striped opposition bloke. Nice one. Ed. Match Report by Lorna Final Score: Croydon 3 12 vs 11 North Downs 2M Moore (3)S Mills (2)A Burnham (1)S Palfreyman (1)E Butters (2)L MacKay-Elliott (2)S Muskens (1)B Lockett (0)Submitted by Andy on 26 Feb 07Highbury 2 vs Croydon 4 The 4ths headed to Highbury to try and do the double over the team they beat in their last fixture, in first attack was Steve Pratt, Jon Dean, Rhiannon Williams-Clarke and Zoe Shewell, in defence for Croydon were Dan Pratt, Phil Aish, Karen James and Becky Dean. Croydon must of been suffering with the trip to Graveney and the early start as Highbury rushed to a 5-0 lead, Croydon were struggling against the pace of Highbury's attack and their 5 goals came from running in shots, a few mistakes from the referee started to creep in and Croydon were getting frustrated, it seemed to fire them up as Dan scored a long shot to get them on the score board. However, the rules of the game obviously changed because Karen stood between the post and her attacker with her hand trying to block the ball and within touching distance, apparently since the last rule book came out this is now not known as 'defended' anymore but as 'penalty' and Highbury converted the very dubious decision to bring the scores to 6-1. Croydon rallied and despite even more incompetency from the referee Croydon managed to score with Zoe converting a running-in shot assisted by Steve. Highbury added one more before the whistle to take the scores to 7-2 at half time. Three substitutes were made at half time with Highbury changing a boy and a girl in one section, and thankfully the referee was changed. Highbury started the way they left off and scored another running-in shot, goals were traded and 2 from Downtown from Steve and a dropping off shot from Dan mixed in with goals from Highbury took the scores to 10-5, in attack the boys were taking many shots and the girls were doing really well in collect, especially Zoe who won nearly everything under the basket. With the security of a solid collect Steve put up a flurry of shots and managed to bag his 3rd goal of the game, unfortunately it was too little too late and with a couple of minutes left Highbury scored two goals in very quick succession to leave the final score 12-6. Croydon will feel they were unlucky as the first half they would have been close if not ahead if the referee had given a half decent performance... Croydon have showed great improvement since the start of the season, and the foundations are set for having a winning season next year if they continue to battle and work as hard as they have done, the last few games of this year will be important to find out where they stand in the division but hopes will be high as the 4ths have been having the best season for a long while. Match Report by Sicknote Final Score: Highbury 2 12 vs 6 Croydon 4S Pratt (3)D Pratt (2)P Aish (0)J Dean (0)Z Shewell (1)K James (0)B Lockett (0)R Williams-Clarke (0)Submitted by Andy on 25 Feb 07
EKA Reserve League: Mitcham 2 vs Croydon 2 Final Score: Croydon 2 8 vs 25 Mitcham 2V Ellis (3)J Furlano (1)D Moore (1)D Pratt (1)B Tobitt (1)L Barker (1)A Furlano (0)J Johnson (0)Submitted by Andy on 27 Feb 07Croydon 3 vs North Downs 2 The thirds had North Downs 2 and we had a different starting line up. In attack Andy, Mick, Sarah and I with defense as Steve Palf, Simon, Becky D and Emma. oh my goodness, my match reports are vague at the best of times but my head is a complete blank folks! I put it down to all the painkillers. I think but am really not sure that we did score first and then so did North Downs so all change. Simon then with his first attack scored from distance which seemed to get the buzz Croydon meant business. If only it were that easy. We had good passing generally and lots of shots. Emma's section had Ian D to contend with and did really well as he was jumping all over and using his height. Shots were put up by all and most of us did score, yippee. We did win but I feel didn't make it as easy as could have been. Everyone worked hard (probably me the least, sorry) not an extra breathe in anyone. It's good when you work hard and get the result but enough of me trying to be serious... that's all I'm gonna write cos we won and I hope everyone is happy and enjoyed their game as you all did gooood! xx PS Pass of the match was Emma's carefully considered throw straight to the red and black striped opposition bloke. Nice one. Ed. Match Report by Lorna Final Score: Croydon 3 12 vs 11 North Downs 2M Moore (3)S Mills (2)A Burnham (1)S Palfreyman (1)E Butters (2)L MacKay-Elliott (2)S Muskens (1)B Lockett (0)Submitted by Andy on 26 Feb 07Highbury 2 vs Croydon 4 The 4ths headed to Highbury to try and do the double over the team they beat in their last fixture, in first attack was Steve Pratt, Jon Dean, Rhiannon Williams-Clarke and Zoe Shewell, in defence for Croydon were Dan Pratt, Phil Aish, Karen James and Becky Dean. Croydon must of been suffering with the trip to Graveney and the early start as Highbury rushed to a 5-0 lead, Croydon were struggling against the pace of Highbury's attack and their 5 goals came from running in shots, a few mistakes from the referee started to creep in and Croydon were getting frustrated, it seemed to fire them up as Dan scored a long shot to get them on the score board. However, the rules of the game obviously changed because Karen stood between the post and her attacker with her hand trying to block the ball and within touching distance, apparently since the last rule book came out this is now not known as 'defended' anymore but as 'penalty' and Highbury converted the very dubious decision to bring the scores to 6-1. Croydon rallied and despite even more incompetency from the referee Croydon managed to score with Zoe converting a running-in shot assisted by Steve. Highbury added one more before the whistle to take the scores to 7-2 at half time. Three substitutes were made at half time with Highbury changing a boy and a girl in one section, and thankfully the referee was changed. Highbury started the way they left off and scored another running-in shot, goals were traded and 2 from Downtown from Steve and a dropping off shot from Dan mixed in with goals from Highbury took the scores to 10-5, in attack the boys were taking many shots and the girls were doing really well in collect, especially Zoe who won nearly everything under the basket. With the security of a solid collect Steve put up a flurry of shots and managed to bag his 3rd goal of the game, unfortunately it was too little too late and with a couple of minutes left Highbury scored two goals in very quick succession to leave the final score 12-6. Croydon will feel they were unlucky as the first half they would have been close if not ahead if the referee had given a half decent performance... Croydon have showed great improvement since the start of the season, and the foundations are set for having a winning season next year if they continue to battle and work as hard as they have done, the last few games of this year will be important to find out where they stand in the division but hopes will be high as the 4ths have been having the best season for a long while. Match Report by Sicknote Final Score: Highbury 2 12 vs 6 Croydon 4S Pratt (3)D Pratt (2)P Aish (0)J Dean (0)Z Shewell (1)K James (0)B Lockett (0)R Williams-Clarke (0)Submitted by Andy on 25 Feb 07
Croydon 3 vs North Downs 2 The thirds had North Downs 2 and we had a different starting line up. In attack Andy, Mick, Sarah and I with defense as Steve Palf, Simon, Becky D and Emma. oh my goodness, my match reports are vague at the best of times but my head is a complete blank folks! I put it down to all the painkillers. I think but am really not sure that we did score first and then so did North Downs so all change. Simon then with his first attack scored from distance which seemed to get the buzz Croydon meant business. If only it were that easy. We had good passing generally and lots of shots. Emma's section had Ian D to contend with and did really well as he was jumping all over and using his height. Shots were put up by all and most of us did score, yippee. We did win but I feel didn't make it as easy as could have been. Everyone worked hard (probably me the least, sorry) not an extra breathe in anyone. It's good when you work hard and get the result but enough of me trying to be serious... that's all I'm gonna write cos we won and I hope everyone is happy and enjoyed their game as you all did gooood! xx PS Pass of the match was Emma's carefully considered throw straight to the red and black striped opposition bloke. Nice one. Ed. Match Report by Lorna Final Score: Croydon 3 12 vs 11 North Downs 2M Moore (3)S Mills (2)A Burnham (1)S Palfreyman (1)E Butters (2)L MacKay-Elliott (2)S Muskens (1)B Lockett (0)Submitted by Andy on 26 Feb 07Highbury 2 vs Croydon 4 The 4ths headed to Highbury to try and do the double over the team they beat in their last fixture, in first attack was Steve Pratt, Jon Dean, Rhiannon Williams-Clarke and Zoe Shewell, in defence for Croydon were Dan Pratt, Phil Aish, Karen James and Becky Dean. Croydon must of been suffering with the trip to Graveney and the early start as Highbury rushed to a 5-0 lead, Croydon were struggling against the pace of Highbury's attack and their 5 goals came from running in shots, a few mistakes from the referee started to creep in and Croydon were getting frustrated, it seemed to fire them up as Dan scored a long shot to get them on the score board. However, the rules of the game obviously changed because Karen stood between the post and her attacker with her hand trying to block the ball and within touching distance, apparently since the last rule book came out this is now not known as 'defended' anymore but as 'penalty' and Highbury converted the very dubious decision to bring the scores to 6-1. Croydon rallied and despite even more incompetency from the referee Croydon managed to score with Zoe converting a running-in shot assisted by Steve. Highbury added one more before the whistle to take the scores to 7-2 at half time. Three substitutes were made at half time with Highbury changing a boy and a girl in one section, and thankfully the referee was changed. Highbury started the way they left off and scored another running-in shot, goals were traded and 2 from Downtown from Steve and a dropping off shot from Dan mixed in with goals from Highbury took the scores to 10-5, in attack the boys were taking many shots and the girls were doing really well in collect, especially Zoe who won nearly everything under the basket. With the security of a solid collect Steve put up a flurry of shots and managed to bag his 3rd goal of the game, unfortunately it was too little too late and with a couple of minutes left Highbury scored two goals in very quick succession to leave the final score 12-6. Croydon will feel they were unlucky as the first half they would have been close if not ahead if the referee had given a half decent performance... Croydon have showed great improvement since the start of the season, and the foundations are set for having a winning season next year if they continue to battle and work as hard as they have done, the last few games of this year will be important to find out where they stand in the division but hopes will be high as the 4ths have been having the best season for a long while. Match Report by Sicknote Final Score: Highbury 2 12 vs 6 Croydon 4S Pratt (3)D Pratt (2)P Aish (0)J Dean (0)Z Shewell (1)K James (0)B Lockett (0)R Williams-Clarke (0)Submitted by Andy on 25 Feb 07
Highbury 2 vs Croydon 4 The 4ths headed to Highbury to try and do the double over the team they beat in their last fixture, in first attack was Steve Pratt, Jon Dean, Rhiannon Williams-Clarke and Zoe Shewell, in defence for Croydon were Dan Pratt, Phil Aish, Karen James and Becky Dean. Croydon must of been suffering with the trip to Graveney and the early start as Highbury rushed to a 5-0 lead, Croydon were struggling against the pace of Highbury's attack and their 5 goals came from running in shots, a few mistakes from the referee started to creep in and Croydon were getting frustrated, it seemed to fire them up as Dan scored a long shot to get them on the score board. However, the rules of the game obviously changed because Karen stood between the post and her attacker with her hand trying to block the ball and within touching distance, apparently since the last rule book came out this is now not known as 'defended' anymore but as 'penalty' and Highbury converted the very dubious decision to bring the scores to 6-1. Croydon rallied and despite even more incompetency from the referee Croydon managed to score with Zoe converting a running-in shot assisted by Steve. Highbury added one more before the whistle to take the scores to 7-2 at half time. Three substitutes were made at half time with Highbury changing a boy and a girl in one section, and thankfully the referee was changed. Highbury started the way they left off and scored another running-in shot, goals were traded and 2 from Downtown from Steve and a dropping off shot from Dan mixed in with goals from Highbury took the scores to 10-5, in attack the boys were taking many shots and the girls were doing really well in collect, especially Zoe who won nearly everything under the basket. With the security of a solid collect Steve put up a flurry of shots and managed to bag his 3rd goal of the game, unfortunately it was too little too late and with a couple of minutes left Highbury scored two goals in very quick succession to leave the final score 12-6. Croydon will feel they were unlucky as the first half they would have been close if not ahead if the referee had given a half decent performance... Croydon have showed great improvement since the start of the season, and the foundations are set for having a winning season next year if they continue to battle and work as hard as they have done, the last few games of this year will be important to find out where they stand in the division but hopes will be high as the 4ths have been having the best season for a long while. Match Report by Sicknote Final Score: Highbury 2 12 vs 6 Croydon 4S Pratt (3)D Pratt (2)P Aish (0)J Dean (0)Z Shewell (1)K James (0)B Lockett (0)R Williams-Clarke (0)Submitted by Andy on 25 Feb 07
