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Croydon out-score, out-play and "out-bang" Bec

There's life in the old dog yet. Croydon entertained Bec at Royal Russell school featuring the same side as narrowly lost out to Kwiek with the exception of Anneka Barretto back in for sister Marika. Bec featured a new look line-up and brought along their usual assortment of drums, pans and so on. However Croydon decided to fight fire with fire and welcomed friends from Kingfisher to add some serious decibels to the Croydon support.

And it was the home supporters who were cheering first as Croydon raced out of the blocks, securing an early 3 goal lead courtesy of 2 goals from Saskia de Jager and a long shot from Dave Butters. Bec pulled it back to 3-1 with a running in shot but Croydon were in the mood to do damage early on with Ross Carr-Taylor slotting a drop-off and Paul Jeanes ever reliable from the penalty spot. A further goal from Butters prompted Bec to call an early time-out at 6-1 and this break gave them some impetus as they scored the next 2 goals. Despite a penalty in reply from Jeanes it was now Croydon who called the time-out. A long shot from Sarah George was a great way for the hosts to come back and as Croydon played the clock down it was Barretto who scored the last goal of the half to leave the sides 9-4 at the break.

Bec started the 2nd half with 3 quick goals including a long shot from John Bracey and, despite another well-crafted goal from George, were back in the hunt. Croydon were slow to adapt to the rebound defence but eventually they secured the vital goal that gave them a 4 goal cushion again as Carr-Taylor dropped off. Nigel Hudspith replaced the ailing Carr Taylor late on and Bec battled and scored 2 more but with time running out, de Jager added some neat symmetry to preceedings as she followed her 2 goals at the start of the match with the last 2 of the match: a pair of free-passes.

For Bec it is back to the drawing board after humiliation against Trojans last week and an uncomfortable loss here. For Croydon this win has been coming and they should draw heart and confidence from another solid display.

Many thanks go to the Kingfisher boys and girls for their booming support. You're always welcome at Royal Russell folks.



Match Report by Andy

Final Score: Croydon 1 13 vs 9 Bec 1

Dave(2)
Paul(2)
Andy(0)
Ross(2)
Nigel(0)
Saskia(4)
Sarah(2)
Anneka(1)
Anna(0)

Croydon 2 battle Bec 2

Croydon 2 were able to field an unchanged line-up for the first time in a long time against Bec 2 and were looking for revenge after a last minute defeat earlier in the season. The home side started well with captain Nigel Hudspith getting the ball rolling with a well taken goal inside 20 seconds, shortly followed by a penalty conversion but Annie Ironmonger was on the board for the visitors and Bec were soon level. The scores stayed at 2-all for some time before a flurry of goals came in towards the end of the half with Hudspith claiming another 2 and Grace Stimpson and Zu Munshi finding the net. However Croydon weren't able to stop Bec scoring and a late goal kept it all square at 6-all at the break.

Mike Walsh scored for the visitors to start the half but Julia Johnson fired home from close range on the switch from Becky Pratt to leave the sides still level at 7-all. Tom Brady scored for Bec to bring his side into the lead for the first time in the match but a drop off and penalty from Hudspith again brought parity. Dave Hall's man started to find his range and so Croydon brought on Dan Pratt but shortly afterwards sister Becky had to come off leaving Croydon a player down. From here, as is common when a side is a player down, the game started getting scrappy and Croydon's attack started to tire as Bec made the extra player count. Bec kept playing and Walsh scored another followed by Anna Lythe-Smith with only Stimpson replying for Croydon. The game petered out with Bec ahead, 10-15.

For Croydon this was a frustrating game as they were neck and neck with the visitors until Pratt came off, from then on Bec were able to play the percentages and grind out the result.



Match Report by Andy

Final Score: Croydon 2 10 vs 15 Bec 2

Nigel(6)
Zak(1)
Matthew(0)
David(0)
Daniel(0)
Grace(2)
Julia(1)
Lynda(0)
Becky(0)

Croydon 3 do battle with North Downs 2

Well the thirds were back to the same old thing of a changing team. Starting in attack were Jane (on the promise of goals), Angela (oh alright I guess I can play), Smithy (super coach) and due to unavailables we had the pleasure of Phil and Paul for half a game each (just in case they hadn't run around enough in the 4ths). Defense was myself, Leah (antibiotics working but family at hand for emergencies), Vernon (returned to hear the call 'stay on the ground') and Andy (family at hand for cheering).

The game started off very close with goals matching as in at one point I looked at the scoreboard and it was four all. Smithy was working extra hard to keep Ian from dropping off and collecting missed shots. Jane was down to her usual serious scoring and managed to rack up 3 by the end of the game! Phil was working in the section well and Angela was runnning around as if she played every week (hint hint).

Northdowns did manage to pull ahead to 8 but we got it back to 7-8. Our section just couldn't get a running in shot and when Leah did the wind was knocked out of her but no penalty! The ref was doing what he was doing but was a young wee thing and had his own game going on. Vernon wasn't happy with him either but has the incentive to play another day (ha ha, oh yeah!) Andy copied me with a screaming long shot other than the fact he did it twice.

Paul slotted in at half time beautifully but the final score was 8 to us and 10 to them boo hoo. I did remind Dave that shooting was all about balance but the coach replied something like - Ian is a good player you have to get the shot off quickly - hmm a reply to everything, he may well go far! See all of you who aren't going away next week Lorna x

PS I listened to some fourth team voices unhappy at the song and dance performance of the Bec 3 supporters. I spoke to Liam Clarke, their manager, whose defence was encouragement for goals so I pointed out sportsmanship for the score and fellow club players which he duly noted and apologised.



Match Report by Lorna

Final Score: Croydon 3 8 vs 10 North Downs 2

Andy(2)
David(2)
Vernon(0)
Philip(0)
Paul(0)
Jane(3)
Lorna(1)
Angela(0)
Leah(0)