Cambridge City vs Croydon 1 In the second half of their Cambridge double header, Croydon took on the City team with Paul Jeanes (in for the injured Ingmar Otter), Gary Heath, Sarah Withers and Grace Stimpson in defence, with Dave Butters, Dan Pratt, Anna Jeanes (c) and Jane Belfourd starting in attack. City had a mix of strength and experience with notably stalwart Andy Rutter and Croydon veteran Nick Collier. Croydon started well with Butters sinking a long shot, but this was soon cancelled out with a flat shot from City which somehow made it through the new basket. The hosts then took the lead with a long shot, but Croydon were looking very pumped up and Withers scored from distance to level the game at 2-all after 8 minutes. Then followed a 10 minute period of stalemate, before Croydon scored again after Butters made a penetrating run and fed Pratt for the drop-off, as City's defenders switched. City were making good chances but couldn't find the goal they needed, whilst Butters took his opportunity from the free pass spot. However, Pratt then lost his attacker who this time converted a simple running in shot. Croydon were back in front after a Stimpson runner, and then Collier got on the scoresheet with some dubious footwork (unseen by the referee) as he rounded Heath to score. He then followed this up with a superb long shot to leave the sides all square at 5-all at the break. At the start of the second half, the teams traded drop offs (Croydon's 1 to City's 2) but a penalty won by Pratt was converted by Butters to bring the scores level at 7-all. City scored from deep long range and then Paul Jeanes was carded after some choice words following a collision in mid court. By this stage, the game had turned into a very physical affair with the girls on either side bearing the brunt of the aggression. The referee twice called the captains together in an attempt to restore calm, but this appeared to have little effect. However moments later Croydon called a time-out to calm their players and they scored straight from the free pass as Paul Jeanes found Heath open at the back of the basket. Pratt fooled his marker and scored but City quickly levelled and at this stage, the game was anyone's with 10 minutes left on the clock. Paul Jeanes then scored a simple running in shot, which Heath followed up with one of his own before City coach Janine Collier called a time-out. Jeanes came off for Otter, and the sub was soon adjudged to have fouled in a goal scoring chance and Collier calmly put away the resulting penalty. As with the Tigers game, Croydons extra class showed in the final 5 minutes as Butters sank a long shot closely followed by a crucial drop-off from Withers to give the visitors the first 3 goal lead of the match. As time ticked away, Otter scored from under the post to make the result look more convincing than in truth it was. For Croydon they came away from their Cambridgeshire raid with all 4 points, but there was little to separate them from their hosts bar the last 10 minutes in each game. City will no doubt be looking forward to the reverse fixture later in the season as they will feel they were strong contenders in this match until the final few minutes. Match Report by Andy Final Score: Cambridge City 1 10 vs 14 Croydon 1Dave(4)Gary(3)Daniel(2)Paul(1)Ingmar(1)Sarah(2)Grace(1)Jane(0)Anna(0)
Nomads 3 vs Croydon 3 The 3rds had Nomads away and had a different team but the replacements just fitted beautifully in and I confess were experienced players. In attack Andy B, Joe F, Lynda B and me with defence Mick M, Nigel H, Mandy F and Leah - you see all reading will know who kindly filled in have been around a while!!! Ok down to the basics. I can confidently write that we scored the first two goals and I scored my penalty! I do believe we even went 3 - 0 up as Mandy scored from distance (she even scored lots in the warm-up, she must love the plastic baskets that we all hate). From there the game is lost in the usual I can't recall play. So will just talk about the game. Nigel had a run for his money as he had to mark Ian, so it was the usual running, tight defence etc etc. Mick had the young boy Alex who Nomads had worked hard last time but this time I don't really know what the tactic was, so Mick was tight marking and running to stop the running in shots. Mandy was marking Sally and matching her speed easily and Leah was equally matching Mary's experience. In attack they all played well, no silly passes or getting in each other's space. In fact they probably scored their goals faster than us so well done. Our section after the quick start had the problem of seeing red. One minute you could see Andy or Joe and the next it was just red! Which makes it hard to pass to them! Mr Bond was the post controller in their attack and did a fair bit of fishing when our shots missed. Nomads really had to work hard in defence as we did pass well and all scored yeah! I am pleased to write that we won! 12 to us and 8 to them, they had got to 2 behind but we continued to increase the gap. I reckon we did put more shots up in the game as well. Thanks to Harry for watching! Match Report by Lorna Final Score: Nomads 3 8 vs 12 Croydon 3Nigel(2)Andy(1)Mike(1)Joe(1)Lorna(3)Lynda(2)Amanda(2)Leah(0)
