Norwich Knights 1 vs Croydon 1 In a crucial clash in the BKA Senior Division, Norwich Knights hosted Croydon at a dusty City of Norwich School. There had been much pre-match talk of Knights fielding a weakened team but this didn't appear to be the case whilst Croydon switched player-coach Dave Butters into attack with Ingmar Otter, Becky Pratt and Grace Stimpson leaving Gary Heath to team up with Andy Withers, Anna Jeanes and Jane Belfourd. Knights started the faster with a goal from their first attack but their exburance was to their cost in the first half as they conceded lots of free-passes, the second of which, Otter converted. Knights missed a couple of penalties and Croydon, through Withers, took advantage with a long range effort that got the hosts thinking. Knights missed another penalty but Pratt conceded another very shortly after which this time the Norwich side converted to leave the teams all square at 2 all after 15 minutes. Close, tense games are often low scoring and so this proved but Butters then showed some class, sinking 2 long shots to give the visitors some breathing space. Croydon called the 2nd time-out of the match and, despite the dynamic duo of Butters and Otter living dangerously in defence, Heath and Jeanes combined to win a penalty and Heath scored from the spot. Croydon had a healthy 2-5 lead going into the break. The first goal after half time looked crucial and so it proved as eventually Heath found the basket from distance, however Knights weren't quite out of it yet as they took advantage of the briefest of mix ups in the Croydon defence but hereafter the teams were deadlocked at 3-6. Croydon's defence was holding up well but the attack were taking some unbalanced shots or missing easy chances. At this point the game looked evenly balanced despite Croydon's 3 goal lead. Knights took a 2nd time out but it was left to the tired old legs of Butters to score again from distance to give the visitors a crucial 4 goal lead. Croydon then showed their experience as they reacted calmly to Knights' rebound defence and took their time before Withers found Jeanes from the side for a match-sealing runner. Knights continued their rebound efforts but Croydon had time on their side and no need to take shots and so waited for the chances as the clock ran down. Withers embarrassed Knights' player-coach Tom Ellis with a walking-in shot but, in truth, the game was up by then despite 10 minutes to go. Otter finally put aside his Goldmember tag and scored from distance, and just before the whistle Ellis converted a consolation penalty. Knights are clearly a great side, with young, vibrant players with plenty of enthusiasm. Sadly for them, the ball didn't quite fall the right way in this match and they seemed to run out of ideas in the 2nd half as Croydon's defence put on the screws. They now face a crucial clash with North Downs that should decide their season. Croydon meanwhile, came alive today, they showed good patience, experience and movement and great recycling in a match they dominated in large patches. Match Report by Andy Final Score: Norwich Knights 1 4 vs 10 Croydon 1D Butters (3)A Withers (2)I Otter (2)G Heath (2)A Jeanes (1)G Codd (0)J Hudspith (0)B Sinclair (0)Submitted by Andy on 27 Jan 07
