Out shot and out of the gameCroydon travelled up the M1 to take on the mighty Nottingham in a match to test their new found confidence. It was never going to be an easy match for the Croydon players, with at least 7 of the Nottingham starting 8 being current or recent England internationals (at senior and youth levels). Croydon set out with Captain Anna Jeanes in defence with husband Paul, Vernon Ellis and Jane Belfourd. In attack saw the unchanged section of Dave Butters, Zu Omar, Dawn Aindow and Grace Stimpson. Nottingham meant business from the start, slotting in two quick goals within minutes of referee Bob Allen's starting whistle. Croydon weren't fazed though, and a neat move between Ellis and Paul Jeanes, saw Ellis sink a perfect goal from just behind the basket after Jeanes had drawn the defenders away. There then followed a exhibition of shooting and collecting from the skilled Nottingham players. Croydon struggled against the superior height of their opponents, and against the disciplined and well executed attacking moves of the home team. The goals were certainly dropping for the England internationals and they were making the most all the space they gained to put the ball in the basket. Croydon were making silly mistakes and unforced errors, losing the ball to poor passes and half chances. Mid way through the half, Aindow got herself on the scoresheet for Croydon, but it just wasn't enough, and Nottingham continued to pile on the pressure. The Croydon players didn't let their heads go down though, and in a testement to the spirit that the team has built up over the past few months and years, battled on, looking for the opportunities and working hard to disrupt the flow of Nottingham goals. When the referee pointed to the spot after Anna Jeanes was dramatically fouled by a male Nottingham player, it was husband Paul who stepped up and coolly converted the chance. As the half time whistle blew, Croydon had only managed to score 3 goals, while Nottingham were in double figures already. The Croydon attack in the second half seemed smoother and more controlled, with better opportunities being made and better chances being taken. The ball just did not want to go into the basket though, with Aindow in particular suffering from her shots curling round and round the inside before popping out the top instead of falling through. Butters was working hard to counteract the huge height advantage of his player, using his experience to get the upper hand around the post where possible. Aindow switched to working the post in attack, and this seemed to give Stimpson, Butters and Omar confidence to put up decent shots, but still they weren't going in. In defence Nottingham were using their height to dominate the collect and to recycle the ball for multiple shots on goal and their strategy was paying off as more and more of their players hit the target. Although the play looked and felt better in the second half, the Croydon players just couldn't break into the game. Shots from Belfourd, and both Jeanes' failed to go in, and it was left to Ellis to score a beautiful running in shot in the dying seconds of the game, the only Croydon goal in the second half. Final score, 22-4 to Nottingham. Croydon didn't travel all that well, and didn't play at their best, but nothing can be taken away from the good all round team play of the Nottingham squad. Match Report by Anna | Updated by Zuton Final Score: Nottingham City 1 22 vs 4 Croydon 1V Ellis (2)P Jeanes (1)D Butters (0)Z Omar (0)D Aindow (1)G Codd (0)J Hudspith (0)A Jeanes (0)Submitted by Anna on 25 Nov 07Not quite enoughA somewhat changed Croydon reserve team headed up the M1 for their match against the strong Nottingham reserve side. Due to sickness and unavailability, there were 2nd team debuts for recent signing Sean Fellows and up-and-coming player Karen James. James went into Captain Dan Pratt's section, with Emma Butters and Pete Lindsey completing the four. Fellows started with Australian International Ben Hale, Hannah Evans and Lynda Barker. With the 8 players never having played together before there was always going to be an upward struggle to get to know each other on the pitch, whilst blocking out the strength of the Nottingham side. The referee pointed to the spot after Butters was adjudged to have been fouled, and although captain Pratt missed the penalty he scored a neat little one handed shot close to the basket to make up for it. The Notts team were making the most of their chances though, and were steadily increasing their lead. A number of Notts goals went unanswered as the Croydon players tried to settle into a pattern of play to find the space and time necessary to score. Butters was not detered though, as she sunk two shots from way out to bring a little life to the Croydon side. After Nottingham had scored again, the referee pointed to the spot for the 2nd time for Croydon, and Pratt needed no 2nd chance to put the ball straight through the basket. Time was running out for the Croydon side though, and it was Nottingham who went into the half time break 12-4 up. The Nottingham team were really marking out tight on the Croydon players, making it difficult for passes to find the right people at the right time. Nottingham scored from a defensive mistake shortly after the half started, but Lindsey was having none of it, sinking a shot from right by the half way line to pull one back. Notts replied with a long shot of their own, and a dinky turn under the basket to increase the score to 15-5, followed by a trademark drop off the back of the post. The Nottingham players then got a little carried away and conceded a penalty which Hale swiftly dispatched. Notts should perhaps have been watching him more closely though, as they were then awarded 3 penalties in a row, all of which they missed. They made up for it though with a running in shot and a long shot. Despite the scoreline Croydon were still fighting, and working to take the ball off the Nottingham defence. Nottingham brought on 4 new players, and this seemed to shake up the Croydon players, who stepped up the pace. A searing Butters pass found the hands of Lindsey right under the basket but he just stopped short of putting up the shot, which would have been drawn a penalty if it had been attempted. Butters then took several opportunities to run past her player, but the ball just didn't want to drop for her, and the long arms of the Notts boys picked up some interceptions. Lindsey learnt from his earlier chance though, and in an almost identical move, found himself under the basket with the ball again, and drew the defenders into fouling his shot. Pratt stepped up to the spot and scored the last goal of the game. 18-7 to Nottingham. This was a steep learning curve for some of the Croydon players who were playing for the first time at this level. It also showed how devastating accurate shooting and strong collecting can be, coupled with tight defending. Match Report by Anna | Updated by Anna Final Score: Nottingham City 2 18 vs 7 Croydon 2D Pratt (3)P Lindsey (1)B Hale (1)S Fellows (0)E Butters (2)L Barker (0)H Evans (0)K James (0)Submitted by Anna on 25 Nov 07
Not quite enoughA somewhat changed Croydon reserve team headed up the M1 for their match against the strong Nottingham reserve side. Due to sickness and unavailability, there were 2nd team debuts for recent signing Sean Fellows and up-and-coming player Karen James. James went into Captain Dan Pratt's section, with Emma Butters and Pete Lindsey completing the four. Fellows started with Australian International Ben Hale, Hannah Evans and Lynda Barker. With the 8 players never having played together before there was always going to be an upward struggle to get to know each other on the pitch, whilst blocking out the strength of the Nottingham side. The referee pointed to the spot after Butters was adjudged to have been fouled, and although captain Pratt missed the penalty he scored a neat little one handed shot close to the basket to make up for it. The Notts team were making the most of their chances though, and were steadily increasing their lead. A number of Notts goals went unanswered as the Croydon players tried to settle into a pattern of play to find the space and time necessary to score. Butters was not detered though, as she sunk two shots from way out to bring a little life to the Croydon side. After Nottingham had scored again, the referee pointed to the spot for the 2nd time for Croydon, and Pratt needed no 2nd chance to put the ball straight through the basket. Time was running out for the Croydon side though, and it was Nottingham who went into the half time break 12-4 up. The Nottingham team were really marking out tight on the Croydon players, making it difficult for passes to find the right people at the right time. Nottingham scored from a defensive mistake shortly after the half started, but Lindsey was having none of it, sinking a shot from right by the half way line to pull one back. Notts replied with a long shot of their own, and a dinky turn under the basket to increase the score to 15-5, followed by a trademark drop off the back of the post. The Nottingham players then got a little carried away and conceded a penalty which Hale swiftly dispatched. Notts should perhaps have been watching him more closely though, as they were then awarded 3 penalties in a row, all of which they missed. They made up for it though with a running in shot and a long shot. Despite the scoreline Croydon were still fighting, and working to take the ball off the Nottingham defence. Nottingham brought on 4 new players, and this seemed to shake up the Croydon players, who stepped up the pace. A searing Butters pass found the hands of Lindsey right under the basket but he just stopped short of putting up the shot, which would have been drawn a penalty if it had been attempted. Butters then took several opportunities to run past her player, but the ball just didn't want to drop for her, and the long arms of the Notts boys picked up some interceptions. Lindsey learnt from his earlier chance though, and in an almost identical move, found himself under the basket with the ball again, and drew the defenders into fouling his shot. Pratt stepped up to the spot and scored the last goal of the game. 18-7 to Nottingham. This was a steep learning curve for some of the Croydon players who were playing for the first time at this level. It also showed how devastating accurate shooting and strong collecting can be, coupled with tight defending. Match Report by Anna | Updated by Anna Final Score: Nottingham City 2 18 vs 7 Croydon 2D Pratt (3)P Lindsey (1)B Hale (1)S Fellows (0)E Butters (2)L Barker (0)H Evans (0)K James (0)Submitted by Anna on 25 Nov 07
