Croydon 4's result does not reflect team's performance

With a score line of 19 - 4 you would be forgiven for thinking that Croydon 4 had not played well. Contrary to the score line the team out performed themselves playing against a vastly experienced team at least two of which played in the following game for, I believe, Mitcham 1.
In first attack were, Sarah H, Hannah, Tom and Craig, leaving David, Paul and a debut for Lorna and Danielle. The game started swiftly with Mitcham scoring, being equalled by Sarah in the same minute. A good promising start I thought, but then Mitcham's experience and talent took over scoring 3 in as many minutes with only one interruption and that from Hannah with her insistent one handed long shot, and it was a long shot which rattled the korf before dropping through. There was then a stalemate as following advice, from guest coach Simon, new tactics were employed in both defence and attack as the Mitcham attack at both sections became less effective scoring 5 goals in the remaining 13 minutes of the half. Although Croydon had not increased their tally the development of attacks with recycling of the ball, which really on paper should not have occurred, again thinking from both the coach and the players resulted in fewer chances for Mitcham and increased chances for Croydon. As I have stated throughout the season, if hitting the korf without the ball going in was the game, Croydon 4 would have been coming in at half time ahead.
Some strong advice, thoughts and suggestions from our coach Simon at half time saw Croydon coming out looking to increase their score with the vain hope of overtaking Mitcham. With more structure in both attack and defence we really should have had more success at the korf but putting pressure and tight marking of the long shooters saw Mitcham making rare errors which Croydon attempted to capitalise, sadly to no avail. Mitcham scored 6 more goals before David managed to run past his player and with a perfect feed from Lorna sunk an angled runner. (Paul we do put into practice Thursdays training and sometimes it works!) With the new tactics of closely marking the long shots Mitcham also were given space for runners which thankfully were mostly squandered and their girls began to take up more shots which did find their mark but not to the same extent as earlier in the game sinking 3 more before again David faked a shot or was it a pass stepped back and shot with the ball sailing clean through. Final score 19-4 to Mitcham.
I must also mention the other players, Craig, Paul, Tom and Danielle who played her first game, I think, for CKC all of which played a vital part. Many thanks to Simon who came up early to coach us very much appreciated. I must also thank Craig's better half for keeping the score tally as it helps with this.
The team played a really intelligent game so I was really pleased to be your captain today. MVP today, more than any other, was a really tough choice but it goes to Hannah primarily for her ultra long one handed shot but for keeping going despite two/three nasty knocks. No, none of them me related!
Well done all, if we play as we did last week and today we are more than capable of winning next Sunday.
I hope you all are available although might have to sub Lorna for Laura though, I just did not appreciate how much you talk!!! As always please make any amendments, additions.

Match Report by David | Updated by David

Final Score: Mitcham 3 19 vs 4 Croydon 4

D Hughes (2)

T Raffield (0)

C Stevens (0)

P Westbury (0)

S Hole (1)

H Raffield (1)

L MacKay-Elliott (0)

D Wright (0)

Submitted by David on 22 Feb 15