Croydon 1 - where were you?Croydon travelled to Kent to play bottom of the table Invicta in what was a must win match for the London side. With yet another forced change to their starting 8, the pressure was on the Croydon players to perform. This, coupled with some poor pre-match preperation, looked to be their undoing though. Croydon started with Jane Belfourd, Anna Jeanes (captain), Vernon Ellis and Ben Hale in attack with coach Dave Butters, Grace Stimpson, Dawn Aindow, and rising star Pete Lindsey in defence. Invicta were first on the scoreboard, working the ball well, to score a lovely drop off shot. In defence the young Invicta side were playing a form of rebound defence, that worked extremely well against the Croydon attack, who failed to put a good collect in place and struggled to recycle the ball. The space and time afforded by the rebound defence did give Jeanes space way out in front of the basket, and she coolly scored to bring the match level at 1-1. Invicta slowed the game down, keeping possession, and making sure they took good shots, with a good collect. Their patience and hard work paid off as they forced a penalty (which they scored, and then a running in shot, to put them 2 goals up. Croydon were slower to the ball, and lacked the spirit of previous weeks, and it showed. Jeanes scored another shot from down town, but it soon cancelled out by a long shot from Invicta, to restore the 2 goal cushion. Lindsey stepped up to show he was having none of it, and sank his own long shot but again Invicta replied from far out to bring the score to 5-3 to the home team. The Croydon attack were still making hard work of the game, with sloppy passes and poor collecting, letting the Invicta team take control and play their slow, controlled game. The frustration was beginning to tell, and the team had to dig deep to stop their heads going down. A third long shot from Jeanes helped ease the pressure, and when the ref pointed the spot after judging there to be contact on Ellis, Hale made no mistake of putting away the penalty. For the first time in the match, the Croydon side had drawn level. It wasn't to last long though, as Invicta then pulled a running in shot out of the bag past the normally super quick Ellis. Coach Butters called a time out, and made it quite clear what he thought of the play so far - and it wasn't good! After some better attacking movement, and some recycling of the ball, coach Butters himself then scored a trade mark shot from way out wide, to restore parity. Little by little, the Croydon side dragged themselves up by their bootlaces and when Ellis scored a lovely long shot, they were ahead for the first time in the match. With both teams searching for the breakthrough, the match turned scrappy, and it was Invicta who managed to find a free player dropping off the back, who slotted home the goal. Even stevens again, and it took a long range Butters effort to secure that precious yet narrow lead, only for Jeanes' attacker to get on the scoresheet with a long shot in reply. The clock was now ticking down, and both teams were trying to find that mini-break that would give them the edge over the other. There was virtually nothing between them, and it really was anyone's game. A missed Invicta penalty didn't help the home side, and from this moment, Invicta didn't manage to take the lead again. After working hard all game, Belfourd had her just rewards, nipping free of her opponent to score. Although Invicta did level again, Aindow and Stimpson were fired up and were rewarded by long shots of their own, and for the first time in the entire match, Croydon were up by 2 goals. Hale was replaced with the fresh legs of veteran player Paul Jeanes to see if the lead could be maintained. Of course, in a game such as this, that wasn't the end of it. The spirited Invicta side weren't about to roll over and let the game slip away that easily. They stepped up the pressure and forced first a penalty and then a running in shot in the same attack, and yes, it was back to a draw. Aindow had the bit between her teeth now though, and she wasn't about to let the Kent side get ahead so she slotted home her second of the match; a much needed and timely goal. And again that wasn't the last of it. It was down to the final few minutes, and Croydon pushed to extend their lead, while Invicta patiently searched for the one that would spoil it for the London team. It was Invicta who were rewarded with a short sneaky shot under the basket; 12-12. It looked like it was going to end in a draw, and to be honest, that might have been a fair reflecion of the match, but that's not what Paul Jeanes had in mind. He drove past his player, received the ball from the front, saw the other defender switch to cover him, used his experience, (and his forward momentum!!) to throw up the ball, sorry, to take a shot, and was adjudged to have been fouled. While the rest of the team might have felt at least a little bit of the pressure not Mr Jeanes. Up he stepped, and in went the ball. It was a dismal overal performance by the Croydon team, coupled with some well thought out and patient play by the Invicta opposition. The final whistle saw Croydon win by a single goal, but it is not a match that they will want to remember. Let's hope the lessons will be learned before they take on Nomads next weekend. Match Report by Anna | Updated by Andy Previous photo Next photo1 of 6 Final Score: Invicta 1 12 vs 13 Croydon 1D Butters (2)V Ellis (1)P Lindsey (1)B Hale (1)P Jeanes (1)A Jeanes (3)D Aindow (2)G Codd (1)J Hudspith (1)Submitted by Anna on 09 Dec 07Woking 1 see off Croydon 3Well with the 8 players who I believe were all at the venue before the opposition the mood was good... Great to see Chrissie playing and oo didn't she do well! I put her with the 'young section' of Mandy, Sean and Dave with the only strategy was to play against the goatie Woking guy (altho goatie marked Sean) leaving shall we say the 'experienced section' of Mick, Andy, Lynda (yes she played for me) and me (was it dodgy food from the Christmas meal as nothing had stayed in). We had the attack and cor blimey we scored! (Now folks remember this is one of my match reports so the facts could be wrong but its all written as I remember). Good old Andy (and poor Harry as no Owen and Callum) I think he even scored again putting us 2-0 up? No thanks to Lyn and her cold fingers, I really thought she was going to upset Mick and it was his first game back! Then I guess we let goals in the game was very even pegging as everyone was working hard and moving around. The game was flowing with contact on us lots (mainly Lyn in our section) not sure down other end. Dave did keep goatie at bay and Sean just needs to work on keeping the guy busy but he did score which is what it's all about. Dave missed his penalty but did have a cheer and clap just as he was due to release the ball from the little girl in the Woking buggy! At 8 mins to go we just let Woking equalise so I decided to stay on! der!! Not that I let the following 5 unanswered goals in! The last Woking goal was a shame as Chrissie I truely believe defended the shot that sailed over the post for the guy to pop in a drop shot oo no fair. If any player has the need to email me with a fact or two I will add to the report above. xx Match Report by Anna | Updated by Andy Final Score: Woking 1 11 vs 6 Croydon 3A Burnham (3)S Fellows (1)D Hall (0)M Moore (0)L Barker (1)C Moore (1)A Furlano (0)L MacKay-Elliott (0)Submitted by Anna on 09 Dec 07Croydon 4 let down in the 2nd halfCroydon 4 travelled to Highbury 3 to try and come away with all the points, but with Highbury 2 not having a game there was a posibility that they might field a stronger side. Croydon started with Andrew Lam, Jess Parsons, Steve and Becki Pratt in attack, Julia Johnson, Sarah Hole, Jon Dean and, standing in for the late Phil Aish, was Dan Pratt. Croydon started well and the defence wasn't giving Highbury any chance to score, in the other section Croydon were creating many chances the best coming from Steve and Andrew after they were finding it easy to beat their players, unfortunately their chances weren't staying in the basket. Highbury went close but it was the visitors who scored first, Andrew Lam scoring with a running in shot after breezing past his player with ease. Croydon now looked more comfortable and were moving the ball around well, eventually finding Steve in space to score his first open play goal of the season from long range. Croydon going into a 2-0 lead. After the change around Croydon continued their good work and after some hard work from Jon they were able to find Dan out front on his own and he cooly scored to give Croydon a comfortable lead. Highbury though soon scored for themselves, against the run of play they managed to get a shot away despite strong pressure from the defence and it ended up in the basket. Croydon were attacking well and were unfortunate not to increase their lead before half time but the ball just wouldn't bounce in for them, the whistle brought an end to a dominant first half performance by Croydon. During the half time team talk, the usually melancholy Becki Pratt managed to take offence to everything that was said and rarely for the teenager she threw a tantrum and stormed off to the car leaving Croydon to play with 7 and disgracing herself in the process. With Phil finally finding his way to the hall he took the place of Dan to start the second half, Croydon despite attacking with 3 still managed to find space and Steve bagged 2 quick goals, his first after beating his player to score a neat runner and his second was even better, with nimble feet he turned his player in the feed and scored a delicate shot to give Croydon a comanding 5-1 lead. Unfortunately the short section struggled in defence and Highbury responded by scoring two quick goals of their own, both from long range to bring it back to a 2 goal game. Croydon were getting frustrated and the loss of Becki left Croydon deflated, Highbury capitalised and a lapse in concentration left Phil's attacker clear to score a running in shot. Highbury equalised soon after with another running in shot and Croydon looked like they might throw away their dominance. Jon was all over his marker and causing problems in attack, after beating his defender for the second time in quick succession he was fouled trying to take a shot. After all the practice on Thursday with penalties Jon stepped up with confidence, the pressure didn't show as he calmly slotted away from the spot. Highbury were turning he tables on Croydon and dominating on both ends of the court as the away team did in the first half. It proved to be too much for Croydon as they let in 3 goals without being able to reply and Croydon slumped behind for the first time in the game with the scores now at 8-6 to the hosts. At this point Highbury made a couple of substitutions to try and shut Croydon down, it was to little effect though as the attack managed to find Julia to set her up, scoring a running in shot to bring it back to a 1 goal game. With both sides doing well in attack it was no suprise that the two teams were trading goals, first Highbury scored with yet another long shot before Steve replied scoring with a long shot of his own and taking his tally up to 4 for the game, unfortunately for Croydon in was Highbury who finished the strongest, scoring a short shot after Phil was caught napping and then they scored a penalty after Andrew was harshly adjudged to have fouled his player whilst taking a shot. With time winding down Highbury had just enough time to be awarded another penalty after Steve fouled his player. This time though the penalty sailed over and the full time whistle went to leave the scores at 11-8 to the hosts. Croydon were left feeling disappointed by the actions of an immature girl who put herself before her team and disgraced herself in the process leaving Croydon to battle out the second half with 7 players and had they finished with the full quota of players the final score might have been very different.Match Report by Sicknote | Updated by Andy Final Score: Highbury 3 11 vs 8 Croydon 4S Pratt (4)A Lam (1)J Dean (1)D Pratt (1)P Aish (0)J Johnson (1)S Hole (0)J Parsons (0)B Sinclair (0)Submitted by Sicknote on 09 Dec 07
Woking 1 see off Croydon 3Well with the 8 players who I believe were all at the venue before the opposition the mood was good... Great to see Chrissie playing and oo didn't she do well! I put her with the 'young section' of Mandy, Sean and Dave with the only strategy was to play against the goatie Woking guy (altho goatie marked Sean) leaving shall we say the 'experienced section' of Mick, Andy, Lynda (yes she played for me) and me (was it dodgy food from the Christmas meal as nothing had stayed in). We had the attack and cor blimey we scored! (Now folks remember this is one of my match reports so the facts could be wrong but its all written as I remember). Good old Andy (and poor Harry as no Owen and Callum) I think he even scored again putting us 2-0 up? No thanks to Lyn and her cold fingers, I really thought she was going to upset Mick and it was his first game back! Then I guess we let goals in the game was very even pegging as everyone was working hard and moving around. The game was flowing with contact on us lots (mainly Lyn in our section) not sure down other end. Dave did keep goatie at bay and Sean just needs to work on keeping the guy busy but he did score which is what it's all about. Dave missed his penalty but did have a cheer and clap just as he was due to release the ball from the little girl in the Woking buggy! At 8 mins to go we just let Woking equalise so I decided to stay on! der!! Not that I let the following 5 unanswered goals in! The last Woking goal was a shame as Chrissie I truely believe defended the shot that sailed over the post for the guy to pop in a drop shot oo no fair. If any player has the need to email me with a fact or two I will add to the report above. xx Match Report by Anna | Updated by Andy Final Score: Woking 1 11 vs 6 Croydon 3A Burnham (3)S Fellows (1)D Hall (0)M Moore (0)L Barker (1)C Moore (1)A Furlano (0)L MacKay-Elliott (0)Submitted by Anna on 09 Dec 07Croydon 4 let down in the 2nd halfCroydon 4 travelled to Highbury 3 to try and come away with all the points, but with Highbury 2 not having a game there was a posibility that they might field a stronger side. Croydon started with Andrew Lam, Jess Parsons, Steve and Becki Pratt in attack, Julia Johnson, Sarah Hole, Jon Dean and, standing in for the late Phil Aish, was Dan Pratt. Croydon started well and the defence wasn't giving Highbury any chance to score, in the other section Croydon were creating many chances the best coming from Steve and Andrew after they were finding it easy to beat their players, unfortunately their chances weren't staying in the basket. Highbury went close but it was the visitors who scored first, Andrew Lam scoring with a running in shot after breezing past his player with ease. Croydon now looked more comfortable and were moving the ball around well, eventually finding Steve in space to score his first open play goal of the season from long range. Croydon going into a 2-0 lead. After the change around Croydon continued their good work and after some hard work from Jon they were able to find Dan out front on his own and he cooly scored to give Croydon a comfortable lead. Highbury though soon scored for themselves, against the run of play they managed to get a shot away despite strong pressure from the defence and it ended up in the basket. Croydon were attacking well and were unfortunate not to increase their lead before half time but the ball just wouldn't bounce in for them, the whistle brought an end to a dominant first half performance by Croydon. During the half time team talk, the usually melancholy Becki Pratt managed to take offence to everything that was said and rarely for the teenager she threw a tantrum and stormed off to the car leaving Croydon to play with 7 and disgracing herself in the process. With Phil finally finding his way to the hall he took the place of Dan to start the second half, Croydon despite attacking with 3 still managed to find space and Steve bagged 2 quick goals, his first after beating his player to score a neat runner and his second was even better, with nimble feet he turned his player in the feed and scored a delicate shot to give Croydon a comanding 5-1 lead. Unfortunately the short section struggled in defence and Highbury responded by scoring two quick goals of their own, both from long range to bring it back to a 2 goal game. Croydon were getting frustrated and the loss of Becki left Croydon deflated, Highbury capitalised and a lapse in concentration left Phil's attacker clear to score a running in shot. Highbury equalised soon after with another running in shot and Croydon looked like they might throw away their dominance. Jon was all over his marker and causing problems in attack, after beating his defender for the second time in quick succession he was fouled trying to take a shot. After all the practice on Thursday with penalties Jon stepped up with confidence, the pressure didn't show as he calmly slotted away from the spot. Highbury were turning he tables on Croydon and dominating on both ends of the court as the away team did in the first half. It proved to be too much for Croydon as they let in 3 goals without being able to reply and Croydon slumped behind for the first time in the game with the scores now at 8-6 to the hosts. At this point Highbury made a couple of substitutions to try and shut Croydon down, it was to little effect though as the attack managed to find Julia to set her up, scoring a running in shot to bring it back to a 1 goal game. With both sides doing well in attack it was no suprise that the two teams were trading goals, first Highbury scored with yet another long shot before Steve replied scoring with a long shot of his own and taking his tally up to 4 for the game, unfortunately for Croydon in was Highbury who finished the strongest, scoring a short shot after Phil was caught napping and then they scored a penalty after Andrew was harshly adjudged to have fouled his player whilst taking a shot. With time winding down Highbury had just enough time to be awarded another penalty after Steve fouled his player. This time though the penalty sailed over and the full time whistle went to leave the scores at 11-8 to the hosts. Croydon were left feeling disappointed by the actions of an immature girl who put herself before her team and disgraced herself in the process leaving Croydon to battle out the second half with 7 players and had they finished with the full quota of players the final score might have been very different.Match Report by Sicknote | Updated by Andy Final Score: Highbury 3 11 vs 8 Croydon 4S Pratt (4)A Lam (1)J Dean (1)D Pratt (1)P Aish (0)J Johnson (1)S Hole (0)J Parsons (0)B Sinclair (0)Submitted by Sicknote on 09 Dec 07
Croydon 4 let down in the 2nd halfCroydon 4 travelled to Highbury 3 to try and come away with all the points, but with Highbury 2 not having a game there was a posibility that they might field a stronger side. Croydon started with Andrew Lam, Jess Parsons, Steve and Becki Pratt in attack, Julia Johnson, Sarah Hole, Jon Dean and, standing in for the late Phil Aish, was Dan Pratt. Croydon started well and the defence wasn't giving Highbury any chance to score, in the other section Croydon were creating many chances the best coming from Steve and Andrew after they were finding it easy to beat their players, unfortunately their chances weren't staying in the basket. Highbury went close but it was the visitors who scored first, Andrew Lam scoring with a running in shot after breezing past his player with ease. Croydon now looked more comfortable and were moving the ball around well, eventually finding Steve in space to score his first open play goal of the season from long range. Croydon going into a 2-0 lead. After the change around Croydon continued their good work and after some hard work from Jon they were able to find Dan out front on his own and he cooly scored to give Croydon a comfortable lead. Highbury though soon scored for themselves, against the run of play they managed to get a shot away despite strong pressure from the defence and it ended up in the basket. Croydon were attacking well and were unfortunate not to increase their lead before half time but the ball just wouldn't bounce in for them, the whistle brought an end to a dominant first half performance by Croydon. During the half time team talk, the usually melancholy Becki Pratt managed to take offence to everything that was said and rarely for the teenager she threw a tantrum and stormed off to the car leaving Croydon to play with 7 and disgracing herself in the process. With Phil finally finding his way to the hall he took the place of Dan to start the second half, Croydon despite attacking with 3 still managed to find space and Steve bagged 2 quick goals, his first after beating his player to score a neat runner and his second was even better, with nimble feet he turned his player in the feed and scored a delicate shot to give Croydon a comanding 5-1 lead. Unfortunately the short section struggled in defence and Highbury responded by scoring two quick goals of their own, both from long range to bring it back to a 2 goal game. Croydon were getting frustrated and the loss of Becki left Croydon deflated, Highbury capitalised and a lapse in concentration left Phil's attacker clear to score a running in shot. Highbury equalised soon after with another running in shot and Croydon looked like they might throw away their dominance. Jon was all over his marker and causing problems in attack, after beating his defender for the second time in quick succession he was fouled trying to take a shot. After all the practice on Thursday with penalties Jon stepped up with confidence, the pressure didn't show as he calmly slotted away from the spot. Highbury were turning he tables on Croydon and dominating on both ends of the court as the away team did in the first half. It proved to be too much for Croydon as they let in 3 goals without being able to reply and Croydon slumped behind for the first time in the game with the scores now at 8-6 to the hosts. At this point Highbury made a couple of substitutions to try and shut Croydon down, it was to little effect though as the attack managed to find Julia to set her up, scoring a running in shot to bring it back to a 1 goal game. With both sides doing well in attack it was no suprise that the two teams were trading goals, first Highbury scored with yet another long shot before Steve replied scoring with a long shot of his own and taking his tally up to 4 for the game, unfortunately for Croydon in was Highbury who finished the strongest, scoring a short shot after Phil was caught napping and then they scored a penalty after Andrew was harshly adjudged to have fouled his player whilst taking a shot. With time winding down Highbury had just enough time to be awarded another penalty after Steve fouled his player. This time though the penalty sailed over and the full time whistle went to leave the scores at 11-8 to the hosts. Croydon were left feeling disappointed by the actions of an immature girl who put herself before her team and disgraced herself in the process leaving Croydon to battle out the second half with 7 players and had they finished with the full quota of players the final score might have been very different.Match Report by Sicknote | Updated by Andy Final Score: Highbury 3 11 vs 8 Croydon 4S Pratt (4)A Lam (1)J Dean (1)D Pratt (1)P Aish (0)J Johnson (1)S Hole (0)J Parsons (0)B Sinclair (0)Submitted by Sicknote on 09 Dec 07
