Croydon Korfball Club - Korfball in South London | Super Friendly and Competitive Sport

Croydon 1 overpowered by Mitcham 1

Croydon travelled to Mitcham's new home, Sutton Grammar School knowing a win would be unlikely but nether the less they were ready to go out and give Mitcham a battle.

The visitors started with Dave Butters, Zak Omar, Grace Stimpson and Hannah Evans in attack, Anna Jeanes, Julia Johnson, Ben Hale and Vernon Ellis in defence.

Croydon started well creating good oppurtunities despite strong pressure from Mitcham's front defence. Both sides were taking good shots but it was Mitcham who scored first, they added a second soon after to make the scores 2-0.

At this point Croydon might have let their heads drop but they carried on fighting and pulled a goal back after some good attacking play. Mitcham took back their 2 goal advantage courtesy of a long shot, Mitcham were warming up and their attacking became more adventurous, causing Croydon problems but some great defensive work kept them at bay long enough for the attack to score making the scores 3-2.

Mitcham were dominating the post and it showed, they were managing to have at least six shots every attack, it paid off in the end scoring another good long shot. Croydon were managing to have good atacks despite Mitcham grabbing almost every rebound, creating space well and choosing the right shots which they failed to do in previous games.

Croydon managed to bring it to a one goal game again scoring to make it 4-3 and at this point it looked like they might be ready to give Mitcham a real battle, unfortunately Mitcham were moving the ball around well, finding players free all the time, despite missing several from under the basket Mitcham's long shooting was too much for Croydon and they scored four unanswered goals to go further infront with the scores at 8-3.

Croydon were looking tired after trying to keep up with Mitcham's fast pace and were beginning to take wild shots and a few sloppy passes left the defence with a tough job trying to keep Mitcham's attack at bay. The frenetic attack from Croydon had Mitcham confused for a while and before they could adjust the visitors pulled one back.

With the half winding down Croydon seemed to switch off and the defence had stopped working as well as they did at the start of the game, the home team took advantage and with their shooting being so accurate they were punishing Croydon, managing to score another 4 goals in quick succesion to close out the half 12-4.

The break gave Croydon the chance to regroup and focus themselves again, they would be looking to try and compete with Mitcham in collect and do some damage limitation.

Croydon started the second half slowly and Mitcham capitalised scoring two goals in quick succession to make it 14-4 just after the restart. Croydon didn't let their heads drop and continued to attack with purpose, grabbing a goal to get them under way again.

Croydon's attack was being stifled and shots were being taken with no collect adding to the problems the defence were having, Mitcham's pace was giving them time and space and coupled with their accurate shooting and good rebounding it was no suprise that they continued to score freely adding 5 unanswered goals, with the game now looking out of sight Croydon relaxed and their attacking play became more fluid, the new rhythm gave them the chances they needed and the visitors didn't have to wait long to see some reward, scoring twice to take the scores to 19-7.

Croydon were always going to struggle with Mitcham's attack, their creativity left Croydon with little chance of shutting them out and a further 3 goals left the scoreline looking one sided. Croydon were determined not to go down without a fight, in defence Croydon were doing a good job in limiting Mitcham to snap shots from distance but their rebounding was giving them mutiple chances.

Croydon's attack was doing well too, creating chances and winning more collects than previously, with both sides doing so well in attack it was unsuprising that there was a flurry of goals, with Croydon scoring twice before Mitcham replied with 2 goals of their own to make it 24-9 and soon after Croydon grabbed another to get them into double-digits.

With time winding down both sides were still attacking well and in the final few minutes a late surge from Mitcham who scored 3 goals left the scores at 27-10. The game was almost up but Croydon wanted the last word scoring from distance to end the game with Mitcham winning 27-11.

Match Report by Sicknote | Updated by Zuton

Final Score: Mitcham 1 27 vs 11 Croydon 1

D Butters (5)	B Hale (1)	V Ellis (0)	Z Omar (1)	P Lindsey (0)
G Codd (2)	A Jeanes (2)	H Evans (0)	J Johnson (0)

Submitted by Sicknote on 02 Dec 07

Croydon 2 not there against Mitcham 2

Croydon 2 were hoping that they would not suffer the same fate as the 1sts and went into the game going for a win.

They started with Dan Pratt, Pete Lindsey, Emma Butters and Karen James in attack, Paul Jeanes, Adam Champion, Lynda Barker and after Jane Belfourd had trouble getting back in the country Amanda Furlano was brought up to fill the gap.

Both teams started slowly and struggled to create any chances, it took some time before any goals were scored and it was the home team who got the game under way. Croydon had the chance to level the scores after Butters was fouled tryig to shoot. Pratt stepped up to take the penalty and after the ball bounced and look set to go in the post moved after a Mitcham player had rushed in. The referee decided it wasn't an infringement and the game carried on, Mitcham took the chance to go further into the lead, scoring to double their lead.

Mitcham were starting to take control and like their 1st team their rebounding was the difference between the two teams. It proved to be too much for Croydon as Mitcham were able to have chance after chance in attack, the hosts scored 3 more unanswered goals and Croydon looked out already. Croydon gave themselves a chance after Pratt scored a penalty to get the team off the mark and it seemed to give them a boost.

With Croydon settling into the game finally the attack were doing well but unfortunately their shots just wouldn't go in and it was Mitcham who scored the next goal to make the scores 6-1. Croydon were still attacking well and after a foul on Furlano as she beat her player resulted in another penalty for the visitors which Jeanes calmly put away. It was to be the final goal of the first half as the whistle went soon after.

After the break Croydon seemed to of lost their momentum and Mitcham took advantage managing to create good oppurtunities, Croydon on the other hand couldn't seem to find any space and were forced into taking the wrong shots.

Mitcham were dominating and they went on another streak of 5 unanswered goals to put the game out of reach for Croydon making the scores 11-2 midway through the second half. Like the 1sts Croydon seemed to recognise the fact that the game was lost and relaxed, it provided them with the same outcome, getting into a rythym and started Croydon's attack to work together.

Lindsey was attacking well and was unlucky not to get on the score sheet after beating his player but after he brought down the rebound he managed to find Pratt in space and after taking a second to compose himself he put the ball in the basket.

Croydon were doing well in defence and pressuring Mitcham into taking long shots but Mitcham's luck was in and they scored from a wild long shot to take the scores to 12-3.
The game was winding down and in the final minutes Croydon were putting pressure on Mitcham's attack and after Pratt intercepted the ball he passed the ball from post to post to find Jeanes on his own and after being given the time to focus, he coolly took the shot and scored.
The final whistle went moments later leaving the scores at 12-4.

Match Report by Sicknote | Updated by Andy

Final Score: Mitcham 2 12 vs 4 Croydon 2