Croydon come up short as scoreline flatters KingfisherCroydon come into this game knowing that they were in for a match, playing against strong opposition expecting a result. First attack consisted of Susan Baker, Jane Belford, Vernon Ellis and Zak Omar while Nigel Hudspith (c), Luke James, Anna Jeanes and Grace Stimpson made up the first defence. The first 5 minutes were a close and even affair with Kingfisher taking the lead with a mid range effort, Ellis couldn't bring Croydon level just a minute later missing an unchallenged shot from just as far. Kingfisher then went 2 ahead with another mid range basket, Croydon meanwhile were creating shooting opportunities but found their effort bouncing out from the korf. The game remained tight until the 12th minute as 2 goals in quick succession from former Croydonite Carr-Taylor opened up a 4 goal advantage, a drop off and one from the half way line Omar could do little about. Ellis restored hope of a comeback though when Baker was fouled on a long range runner and he coolly converted the resulting penalty, it was no less than Croydon deserved. Kingfisher responded with another long shot to take the score to 1-5, despite the post seemingly moving towards the ball as it moved through the air. Just a minute later however Hudspith scored a lovely mid range shot to take the difference back to 3 (2-5). The balance of scoring was now starting to reflect the close nature of play and things could have improved for Croydon as James scored a beautifully taken runner, only for the referee to deem it defended. Both teams then missed a free pass each before Stimpson scored Croydon's, again from mid range to leave the home side 2 behind (3-5). Croydon were now edging back into the game through a combination of luck and good play. Kingfisher rallied and scored two again in quick succession as their boys scored with a shot from short and long distance. Finding themselves 4 down again Croydon had the chance to pull it back again, first with James missing a penalty and then Jeanes failed to convert a free pass soon after. At the half time whistle Croydon felt disappointed not to be back within touching distance of Kingfisher, something that demonstrated how well they had played in the first half. Returning to a game most might have expected they would be out of contention by this stage, Croydon looked like they could provide the shock of the day as James (long) and Stimpson (mid) scored twice soon after the restart (5-7). They were left frustrated when Jeanes' marker seemed to escape her cutting past her feeder to score a runner unchecked by the referee. After a quiet start in the first half the same couldn't be the said for the second and a flurry of goals followed. Kingfisher converted a free pass (5-9), James scored from short (6-9), a bizarre penalty against Omar who appeared to have been charged was again converted by KF (6-10) and the away side then score another unstoppable effort from long range (6-11). Kingfisher seemed to have been spurred into action by Croydon's initial comeback and had stepped up a gear. Croydon called a timeout and James (who had been struggling with illness) was replaced by Chaney. This change took some time for the blues to adjust to and they conceded two goals soon after both from range (6-13). Kingfisher were now starting to look out of sight, this didn't stop Hudspith who won and scored a penalty to reduce the deficit (7-13). However once again Kingfisher scored twice without reply with two short shots (7-15) followed by a Croydon double from Chaney (runner) and Jeanes (free pass). With the score now 9-15 there remained enough time for Croydon to miss another penalty, while Kingfisher adding two more to their tally converting a penalty and scoring a long. At the final whistle it seemed harsh on Croydon to have lost by a score of 9-17 and they could take comfort from a good first half and a good start to the second half. Kingfishers quality shone through in the end however and when they needed to raise their game they did so to take the points. Match Report by Simon | Updated by Zuton Final Score: Croydon 1 9 vs 17 Kingfisher 1N Hudspith (2)V Ellis (1)Z Omar (0)U Player (2)E Chaney (1)G Codd (2)A Jeanes (1)S Baker (0)J Hudspith (0)Submitted by Simon on 18 Mar 12Bad start in each half leaves too much for Croydon 2 to do Final Score: Supernova 1 13 vs 8 Croydon 2A Champion (2)E Chaney (0)P Lindsey (0)M Wright (0)S Hole (2)J Johnson (2)V Goode (1)S Wright (1)Submitted by SteveW on 18 Mar 12Croydon 4 lose out to experienced Woking sideAfter a fantastic performance last week against Nomads, Croydon 4 took to the pitch with a different look to it to face Woking 2. Adam Dack, Jon Dean (c), Lorna Elliot and Charlotte Feakins lined up in first attack while Bryan Burr, Susie Davis, Kathy Dean and David Hughes started in defence. As Woking were waiting for one of their boys to show up they started the game a player short in their defence. Croydon found this change of pace difficult to adapt to and the first couple of minutes they struggled to find any kind of rhythm to their play. Just as they had started to develop a flow Woking's 4th boy showed up and the attack had to change back again. During this time the only real chance of the game went to Woking who fortunately squandered the chance to go ahead missing a penalty following a foul from Davis. Croydon then earned a free pass with a foul on Elliot who stepped up but missed her chance to score the opener. Unfortunately Woking did not pass up their not opportunity and Hughes marker escaped him to score a runner. Croydon were finding it difficult to find any space for a shooting opportunity with Woking defending up close and personal but even they could not prevent a wonderful attacking move which ended with Elliot scoring a beauty of a drop off to bring the scores level at 1-1. Kathy Dean was causing her player some real problems with her lovely runs attacking her players back and narrowly missed a runner. Woking then struck a deadly blow scoring 3 unanswered baskets, with 2 from mid range and one runner as Croydon struggled to deal with their opponents experience in the attack. With the score poised at 1-4, Jon Dean made a lovely running in move and scored to bring it to 2-4 before Woking scored another runner of their own beating the young Dack. The more experienced Elliot then conceded a free pass which Woking converted to take the score to 2-6 before the break. Croydon regrouped for the second half against a difficult opposition which it became clear had included some 1st teamers within their ranks. Things didn't get any better at the restart as Davis fouled her tricky opponent although the resulting penalty was missed. Davis player continued to cause problems earning her team a free pass which this time they took full advantage of (2-7). Dack was now making some terrific runs and causing his player just as much difficulty and the youngster was rewarded for his efforts with a penalty which he calmly put away. Hughes then gave Croydon a glimmer of hope with a shot off the back of the basket but the mini revival would prove too little too late. Burr was. There was time however for two more Woking goals (albeit slightly debateable) but the truth of it was this game was over well before this, final score Croydon (4) 4-9 Woking (2) Croydon 4 struggled today against a very experienced Woking team but should not be too disappointed on the back of so many excellent displays today was no disgrace. Although on the day the team will admit their passing let them down; their movement, collecting and interceptions were excellent and they can take this into their remaining fixtures.Match Report by Simon | Updated by Simon Final Score: Croydon 4 4 vs 9 Woking 2A Dack (1)J Dean (1)D Hughes (1)B Burr (0)L MacKay-Elliott (1)K Bradford (0)S Davis (0)C Feakins (0)Submitted by Simon on 18 Mar 12
Bad start in each half leaves too much for Croydon 2 to do Final Score: Supernova 1 13 vs 8 Croydon 2A Champion (2)E Chaney (0)P Lindsey (0)M Wright (0)S Hole (2)J Johnson (2)V Goode (1)S Wright (1)Submitted by SteveW on 18 Mar 12Croydon 4 lose out to experienced Woking sideAfter a fantastic performance last week against Nomads, Croydon 4 took to the pitch with a different look to it to face Woking 2. Adam Dack, Jon Dean (c), Lorna Elliot and Charlotte Feakins lined up in first attack while Bryan Burr, Susie Davis, Kathy Dean and David Hughes started in defence. As Woking were waiting for one of their boys to show up they started the game a player short in their defence. Croydon found this change of pace difficult to adapt to and the first couple of minutes they struggled to find any kind of rhythm to their play. Just as they had started to develop a flow Woking's 4th boy showed up and the attack had to change back again. During this time the only real chance of the game went to Woking who fortunately squandered the chance to go ahead missing a penalty following a foul from Davis. Croydon then earned a free pass with a foul on Elliot who stepped up but missed her chance to score the opener. Unfortunately Woking did not pass up their not opportunity and Hughes marker escaped him to score a runner. Croydon were finding it difficult to find any space for a shooting opportunity with Woking defending up close and personal but even they could not prevent a wonderful attacking move which ended with Elliot scoring a beauty of a drop off to bring the scores level at 1-1. Kathy Dean was causing her player some real problems with her lovely runs attacking her players back and narrowly missed a runner. Woking then struck a deadly blow scoring 3 unanswered baskets, with 2 from mid range and one runner as Croydon struggled to deal with their opponents experience in the attack. With the score poised at 1-4, Jon Dean made a lovely running in move and scored to bring it to 2-4 before Woking scored another runner of their own beating the young Dack. The more experienced Elliot then conceded a free pass which Woking converted to take the score to 2-6 before the break. Croydon regrouped for the second half against a difficult opposition which it became clear had included some 1st teamers within their ranks. Things didn't get any better at the restart as Davis fouled her tricky opponent although the resulting penalty was missed. Davis player continued to cause problems earning her team a free pass which this time they took full advantage of (2-7). Dack was now making some terrific runs and causing his player just as much difficulty and the youngster was rewarded for his efforts with a penalty which he calmly put away. Hughes then gave Croydon a glimmer of hope with a shot off the back of the basket but the mini revival would prove too little too late. Burr was. There was time however for two more Woking goals (albeit slightly debateable) but the truth of it was this game was over well before this, final score Croydon (4) 4-9 Woking (2) Croydon 4 struggled today against a very experienced Woking team but should not be too disappointed on the back of so many excellent displays today was no disgrace. Although on the day the team will admit their passing let them down; their movement, collecting and interceptions were excellent and they can take this into their remaining fixtures.Match Report by Simon | Updated by Simon Final Score: Croydon 4 4 vs 9 Woking 2A Dack (1)J Dean (1)D Hughes (1)B Burr (0)L MacKay-Elliott (1)K Bradford (0)S Davis (0)C Feakins (0)Submitted by Simon on 18 Mar 12
Croydon 4 lose out to experienced Woking sideAfter a fantastic performance last week against Nomads, Croydon 4 took to the pitch with a different look to it to face Woking 2. Adam Dack, Jon Dean (c), Lorna Elliot and Charlotte Feakins lined up in first attack while Bryan Burr, Susie Davis, Kathy Dean and David Hughes started in defence. As Woking were waiting for one of their boys to show up they started the game a player short in their defence. Croydon found this change of pace difficult to adapt to and the first couple of minutes they struggled to find any kind of rhythm to their play. Just as they had started to develop a flow Woking's 4th boy showed up and the attack had to change back again. During this time the only real chance of the game went to Woking who fortunately squandered the chance to go ahead missing a penalty following a foul from Davis. Croydon then earned a free pass with a foul on Elliot who stepped up but missed her chance to score the opener. Unfortunately Woking did not pass up their not opportunity and Hughes marker escaped him to score a runner. Croydon were finding it difficult to find any space for a shooting opportunity with Woking defending up close and personal but even they could not prevent a wonderful attacking move which ended with Elliot scoring a beauty of a drop off to bring the scores level at 1-1. Kathy Dean was causing her player some real problems with her lovely runs attacking her players back and narrowly missed a runner. Woking then struck a deadly blow scoring 3 unanswered baskets, with 2 from mid range and one runner as Croydon struggled to deal with their opponents experience in the attack. With the score poised at 1-4, Jon Dean made a lovely running in move and scored to bring it to 2-4 before Woking scored another runner of their own beating the young Dack. The more experienced Elliot then conceded a free pass which Woking converted to take the score to 2-6 before the break. Croydon regrouped for the second half against a difficult opposition which it became clear had included some 1st teamers within their ranks. Things didn't get any better at the restart as Davis fouled her tricky opponent although the resulting penalty was missed. Davis player continued to cause problems earning her team a free pass which this time they took full advantage of (2-7). Dack was now making some terrific runs and causing his player just as much difficulty and the youngster was rewarded for his efforts with a penalty which he calmly put away. Hughes then gave Croydon a glimmer of hope with a shot off the back of the basket but the mini revival would prove too little too late. Burr was. There was time however for two more Woking goals (albeit slightly debateable) but the truth of it was this game was over well before this, final score Croydon (4) 4-9 Woking (2) Croydon 4 struggled today against a very experienced Woking team but should not be too disappointed on the back of so many excellent displays today was no disgrace. Although on the day the team will admit their passing let them down; their movement, collecting and interceptions were excellent and they can take this into their remaining fixtures.Match Report by Simon | Updated by Simon Final Score: Croydon 4 4 vs 9 Woking 2A Dack (1)J Dean (1)D Hughes (1)B Burr (0)L MacKay-Elliott (1)K Bradford (0)S Davis (0)C Feakins (0)Submitted by Simon on 18 Mar 12
