Croydon 3 battle hard against on-form WokingCroydon 3 travelled to the fridge that was Addlestone, to take on Woking 1. As usual there was little warm up area and the no one could get into the playing hall a second before the match was due to start. This seemed to favour the home side who came out all guns blazing. Captain Mark Irving teamed up with Phil Aish, Becki Pratt and Kathy Dean in attack while the in defence it was Sarah Hole, Steph Robinson, Andy Burnham and Steve Chadd. Woking started with shots from all over the pitch, scoring first a running in shot, and then a penalty to race to a 2-0 lead. After the switch, their other 4 players then scored from distance, before missing free throw. This didn't put them off their stride though as they forced through a penalty, which they duly converted. Looking at the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline, Croydon defence then worked out exactly which Woking players were most dangerous, and what to do about it. The goals dried up, and this gave the Croydon attack more chances to work together for good scoring opportunities. In a text book move that was perfectly executed, Pratt passed a zinging ball across the court to Aish who was dropping off the back of the basket. In it went, and the Croydon supporters roared their pleasure! Both Croydon's attack and defence, were working much better now, finding the space in attack, and pressurizing the shooters in defence. Chadd and Burnham, who were playing giants over 6 foot tall, started post hanging and inviting their players to stay out and shoot, rather than dominating the post, and this worked wonders. Dean was running her player ragged, not sure what she was on, but if it's possible to bottle it, she'll be a millionaire within a week! Her shots were popping up from all round the pitch, and it was only bad luck that none went through. Recycling the ball under the basket Pratt, dominated her player, leaving nothing to chance. After one more Woking goal, it was half time. Croydon came out with determination, but Woking scored their second long shot. Chadd stormed through for a running in shot though, again a perfect example of how to take it, with Burnham, Robinson and Hole all in the classic 2-2 positioning for the goal. Woking found their long shooting boots, and scored a couple of great looking goals, that the Croydon defenders could do nothing about. Burnham pulled one of his own out of the hat, but Woking again replied with 2 of their own. Aish decided to go for his 2nd goal of the day, a fading long shot that went in, almost to his surprise as much as anyone else's. That was the last goal for Croydon as a Woking penalty and long shot finished off the game. Croydon played hard, but were outplayed by a team who had a good mix of experience, height and youth. Match Report by Anna | Updated by Andy Final Score: Woking 1 11 vs 4 Croydon 3Philip(2)Andy(1)Steve(1)Mark(0)Kathryn(0)Sarah(0)Stephanie(0)Becky(0)
Rand inspires Croydon 4 to victory over Woking 2Captain Jon Dean started the match with Hayley Rand, Karen James (guest player!), and Mike Lavine, leaving Luke James, Dom Bradford, Charlotte Feakins, and Sarah Hole (guest player!) up the other end. Woking 2 scored first, but their coach then wanted the ref to change the goal into a restart to Croydon ... it transpired that the Woking goal scorer was also a "guest" player (he'd already started for Woking 1) and the Woking coach thought that a "guest" player couldn't score the first goal. After a short discussion, the goal stood, and the match resumed. Croydon took the game by the scruff of the neck and scored the next 5 goals (Hole 2, L James, Dean, Lavine), yes that's 5 goals. There was some great movement, and some wonderful interceptions. Woking weren't going to go without a fight though, and management to claw 4 goals back, to level the scores at 5-5. It was tense; the crowd were on the edge of their seats. The players sized each other up, trying to find that elusive 6th goal, would it be Woking or would it be Croydon. The ball flew backwards and forwards between the two ends, but no team could break the deadlock. Until, suddenly, Rand's player overcommitted and couldn't stop, she sailed past Rand. Rand squared up to the basket and aimed her shot, as she went to take the shot though, her defender ran into her from behind in her haste to try to get back to defend. The ref blew his whistle and pointed to the spot; penalty. Captain Dean walked over to Rand, gave her the ball. Cool as a cucumber, in this tense and exciting match, at 5-5 with only about 5 minutes left, Rand stepped up. The crowd went silent. She shot. The ref blew his whistle. The players looked round, the ball had agonisingly hit the basket and come out, but what was the whistle for?? The ref indicated that there had been a foul by a Woking player and the penalty should be retaken. Up stepped Rand again. No sign of nerves. The crowed had no fingernails left. The shot went up, up, and down, straight through the basket. Shouts from the Croydon supporters raised the roof. 6-5 to Croydon. The penalty seemed to give Croydon what they needed, and hardly a minute later K James scored to give Croydon a 2 goal cushion. With barely time for anything more, brother L James, then slotted home his second of the match, and the game was won.Match Report by Anna Final Score: Woking 2 5 vs 8 Croydon 4Unknown(2)Jon(1)Mike(1)Dom(0)Sarah(2)Karen(1)Hayley(1)Charlotte(0)
