Croydon 1 make strong start but cant hold out against SupernovaCroydon headed to Millwill Lions centre full of confidence for their early game against Supernova 1. Lukes section of Adam, Kay and Dawn took first defence for a change ;) leaving Zu, Stephen, Kim and Becky in first attack. Things were looking great after the first quarter of the game. Croydon had established a 7-3 lead and were looking pretty comfortable in defence-Luke again starting the match very well and looking in control and Becky also making a composed start against her fiesty opponent. Supernova then put together a couple of decent attacks to leave halftime score 7-6 to Croydon. The halftime talk was to slow things down a bit as we were starting to rush our attacks, shooting too early and not using all players in the sections effectively. However, Croydon failed to apply this and Supernova gradually built a 14-10 lead, due to picking up the collects and being more clinical with their shooting. The sections were changed a bit with Luke and Zu switching sections, meaning a brief cameo role for Dom to aid the changes. This seemed to create a better balance as Croydon then scored the next two goals and were back in the game, 14-12. However, after another time out Croydon were warned not to fall into the same habits of shooting too early or giving chances to the opposition. Unfortunately the opposite happened as Croydon slipped 18-12 behind. But the team then showed some metal to produce a strong finish to the game. Final score 19-15. Overall, a brilliant start and a gutsy finish, but more discipline is needed in the middle stages to secure the wins the team deserves.Match Report by Kathy Final Score: Supernova 1 19 vs 15 Croydon 1U Player (6)S Gooch (3)A Stevens (0)Z Omar (3)D Bradford (0)K Swygart (1)K Munro (1)D Aindow (0)B Sinclair (1)K Bradford (0)Submitted by Kathy on 19 Feb 17Serious Highbury show no sympathy for Croydon 2's battling 7A bit of a mix and match Croydon 2 made the lengthy journey to Petchey preparing to face a difficult fixture against a strong Highbury side, little did they know just how difficult it would actually be! With throw off time coming and just 7 Croydonians at the venue, it left the travellers a boy short and Dom nobly volunteered to take on the unenviable task of playing lone ranger (albeit aided by his two lovely female assistants of course!) So the trio comprising of Dom Bradford, Kathy Bradford and Annie Campbell took first attack, while an ensemble of Alex Burr, Julia Johnson, Simon Mills and Hannah Russell went into defensive duties. From minute one it was clear that Croydon were not going to be shown any mercy by their opposing numbers, as Highbury pressed hard and pressured every player, pass and ball line to ensure the visitors had no room to breathe. A succession of goals followed for the hosts and Croydon 2 were struggling to put together an attack, let alone compete on the score line! After several switches of ends, thanks to Highbury doubles, the pattern was finally broken with a beauty of long shot from young Burr, who had travelled further than most to make it from his uni digs to help his hometown club in their hour of need. Not to be discouraged, Highbury once again went back to work, scoring shot after shot from all manner of chances and ranges. Only another distance effort from Burr brought any further relief by the interval, with the half time score resembling something from a horror film. Some words of wisdom between the players, particularly from captain Dom and the team braced themselves for another difficult half. The second half started off with a bit of promise, Johnson drove into an excellent feed position and no one was more surprised than Mills himself as a few awkward looking shuffles of the feet seemed to bamboozle his defender (perhaps it was how utterly bemusing the movement actually was!) and in a rare show of speed burst past his defender before sinking a very rare running in shot. It was however, like the previous Croydon goals, a brief interruption in the goal scoring chain. Highbury continued to work the blues hard and the visitors were only able to muster two more 'interruptions' throughout the half. Russell did well and took a hit to win a free pass, which was converted by Mills and the latter converted his hat trick after another excellent long effort from Burr narrowly missed but was tucked away from the resulting rebound behind the post. If anything it was a learning experience for the Croydonites, playing with 7 is never easy and against the determined and aggressive approach of Highbury it was always going to be a near impossible task. A big well done to all for battling until the end and never really allowing their heads to drop. With special mentions to Annie and Hannah who can now probably perform the journey to Petchey blindfolded, Dom for taking on the thankless task of tackling two boys singlehandedly (oi oi!) and a big well done to Alex who put in a fantastic performance against such difficult opposition. Final thanks to Julia for acting as taxi for most of the team! Match Report by Simon | Updated by Simon Previous photo Next photo1 of 1 Final Score: Highbury 1 35 vs 5 Croydon 2S Mills (3)A Burr (2)D Bradford (0)K Bradford (0)A Campbell (0)J Johnson (0)H Raffield (0)Submitted by Simon on 19 Feb 17Clinical Trojans too good for 7 strong Croydon 5Croydon 5 made the short trip to Trinity to face Trojans 3 knowing they would be a player down but confident it would be a competitive game. Adam, thinking that it usually takes attack a bit of time to get used to playing against a section of 3, decided that David, Srah and himself should defend first, with Croydon setting up with Martin, Vik, Danielle and Vicky in first attack. This was an error of judgement. One of the Trojan's girls, that I think usually plays much higher, took too long shots and scored two goals in Trojan's first two attacks with the chance for a single rebound. This was followed up by two more quick Trojan goals in the other section. A section which included Croydon old boys Johan and Janine. 4-0, but from this point on Croydon got a foothold in the game, the section of three making a number of intercepts and the attack looking more fluent and controlled with every attack. I can't quite remember the order, but Croydon and Torjans exchanged goals and the half time whistle went with the score 5-1 to Trojans. A positive team talk was had, and despite the score, we felt like we were still comfortably in the game. The second half, I think started with two more quick Trojans' goals. That said, Croydon were competing across the court and creating a number of chances. As has often been the case this season though, clinical finishing was not the order of the day. Croydon scored 4 goals in the second half, but unfortunately Trojans scored comfortably more. A decent performance in the end, but not up to the standard of our opponents. Apologies that I cannot remember who scored when. Vicky, please could you also double check I have named the correct scorers as I have done this from memory.Match Report by Ad Final Score: Trojans 3 14 vs 5 Croydon 5A Champion (1)D Hughes (1)M James (1)V Kugadas (0)V Goode (2)S Hole (0)D Wright (0)Submitted by Ad on 19 Feb 17
Serious Highbury show no sympathy for Croydon 2's battling 7A bit of a mix and match Croydon 2 made the lengthy journey to Petchey preparing to face a difficult fixture against a strong Highbury side, little did they know just how difficult it would actually be! With throw off time coming and just 7 Croydonians at the venue, it left the travellers a boy short and Dom nobly volunteered to take on the unenviable task of playing lone ranger (albeit aided by his two lovely female assistants of course!) So the trio comprising of Dom Bradford, Kathy Bradford and Annie Campbell took first attack, while an ensemble of Alex Burr, Julia Johnson, Simon Mills and Hannah Russell went into defensive duties. From minute one it was clear that Croydon were not going to be shown any mercy by their opposing numbers, as Highbury pressed hard and pressured every player, pass and ball line to ensure the visitors had no room to breathe. A succession of goals followed for the hosts and Croydon 2 were struggling to put together an attack, let alone compete on the score line! After several switches of ends, thanks to Highbury doubles, the pattern was finally broken with a beauty of long shot from young Burr, who had travelled further than most to make it from his uni digs to help his hometown club in their hour of need. Not to be discouraged, Highbury once again went back to work, scoring shot after shot from all manner of chances and ranges. Only another distance effort from Burr brought any further relief by the interval, with the half time score resembling something from a horror film. Some words of wisdom between the players, particularly from captain Dom and the team braced themselves for another difficult half. The second half started off with a bit of promise, Johnson drove into an excellent feed position and no one was more surprised than Mills himself as a few awkward looking shuffles of the feet seemed to bamboozle his defender (perhaps it was how utterly bemusing the movement actually was!) and in a rare show of speed burst past his defender before sinking a very rare running in shot. It was however, like the previous Croydon goals, a brief interruption in the goal scoring chain. Highbury continued to work the blues hard and the visitors were only able to muster two more 'interruptions' throughout the half. Russell did well and took a hit to win a free pass, which was converted by Mills and the latter converted his hat trick after another excellent long effort from Burr narrowly missed but was tucked away from the resulting rebound behind the post. If anything it was a learning experience for the Croydonites, playing with 7 is never easy and against the determined and aggressive approach of Highbury it was always going to be a near impossible task. A big well done to all for battling until the end and never really allowing their heads to drop. With special mentions to Annie and Hannah who can now probably perform the journey to Petchey blindfolded, Dom for taking on the thankless task of tackling two boys singlehandedly (oi oi!) and a big well done to Alex who put in a fantastic performance against such difficult opposition. Final thanks to Julia for acting as taxi for most of the team! Match Report by Simon | Updated by Simon Previous photo Next photo1 of 1 Final Score: Highbury 1 35 vs 5 Croydon 2S Mills (3)A Burr (2)D Bradford (0)K Bradford (0)A Campbell (0)J Johnson (0)H Raffield (0)Submitted by Simon on 19 Feb 17Clinical Trojans too good for 7 strong Croydon 5Croydon 5 made the short trip to Trinity to face Trojans 3 knowing they would be a player down but confident it would be a competitive game. Adam, thinking that it usually takes attack a bit of time to get used to playing against a section of 3, decided that David, Srah and himself should defend first, with Croydon setting up with Martin, Vik, Danielle and Vicky in first attack. This was an error of judgement. One of the Trojan's girls, that I think usually plays much higher, took too long shots and scored two goals in Trojan's first two attacks with the chance for a single rebound. This was followed up by two more quick Trojan goals in the other section. A section which included Croydon old boys Johan and Janine. 4-0, but from this point on Croydon got a foothold in the game, the section of three making a number of intercepts and the attack looking more fluent and controlled with every attack. I can't quite remember the order, but Croydon and Torjans exchanged goals and the half time whistle went with the score 5-1 to Trojans. A positive team talk was had, and despite the score, we felt like we were still comfortably in the game. The second half, I think started with two more quick Trojans' goals. That said, Croydon were competing across the court and creating a number of chances. As has often been the case this season though, clinical finishing was not the order of the day. Croydon scored 4 goals in the second half, but unfortunately Trojans scored comfortably more. A decent performance in the end, but not up to the standard of our opponents. Apologies that I cannot remember who scored when. Vicky, please could you also double check I have named the correct scorers as I have done this from memory.Match Report by Ad Final Score: Trojans 3 14 vs 5 Croydon 5A Champion (1)D Hughes (1)M James (1)V Kugadas (0)V Goode (2)S Hole (0)D Wright (0)Submitted by Ad on 19 Feb 17
Clinical Trojans too good for 7 strong Croydon 5Croydon 5 made the short trip to Trinity to face Trojans 3 knowing they would be a player down but confident it would be a competitive game. Adam, thinking that it usually takes attack a bit of time to get used to playing against a section of 3, decided that David, Srah and himself should defend first, with Croydon setting up with Martin, Vik, Danielle and Vicky in first attack. This was an error of judgement. One of the Trojan's girls, that I think usually plays much higher, took too long shots and scored two goals in Trojan's first two attacks with the chance for a single rebound. This was followed up by two more quick Trojan goals in the other section. A section which included Croydon old boys Johan and Janine. 4-0, but from this point on Croydon got a foothold in the game, the section of three making a number of intercepts and the attack looking more fluent and controlled with every attack. I can't quite remember the order, but Croydon and Torjans exchanged goals and the half time whistle went with the score 5-1 to Trojans. A positive team talk was had, and despite the score, we felt like we were still comfortably in the game. The second half, I think started with two more quick Trojans' goals. That said, Croydon were competing across the court and creating a number of chances. As has often been the case this season though, clinical finishing was not the order of the day. Croydon scored 4 goals in the second half, but unfortunately Trojans scored comfortably more. A decent performance in the end, but not up to the standard of our opponents. Apologies that I cannot remember who scored when. Vicky, please could you also double check I have named the correct scorers as I have done this from memory.Match Report by Ad Final Score: Trojans 3 14 vs 5 Croydon 5A Champion (1)D Hughes (1)M James (1)V Kugadas (0)V Goode (2)S Hole (0)D Wright (0)Submitted by Ad on 19 Feb 17
