Bec 2 vs Croydon 1 In the reverse of the other cup game, Croydon 1 took on Bec 2 at a dusty St George's College. Croydon had Dave Butters, Andy Withers, Anna Jeanes (c) and Jane Belfourd in attack with Ingmar Otter, Gary Heath, Sarah Withers and Grace Stimpson in defence. Andy Withers got Croydon off to a flyer with a middle distance shot from behind the basket and Butters followed up with a penalty after a foul on the feed. Bec scored a long shot but this was followed up with a goal from Heath and at this stage Croydon were looking comfortable. However, Bec grew in confidence after scoring two goals, and in a repeat of the previous game, the favourites were surprisingly under pressure from the reserve league side. But Sarah Withers turned in the feed to put away an easy chance to give Croydon the lead at the break 4-3. In another repeat of the previous game, the reserve league side lost the game just after half time. Croydon scored 4 goals to Bec's 1, through Stimpson, Butters, Heath and S Withers to leave the scores at 8-4. Croydon struggled to find their rhythm in the second half as referee Dave Bond appeared to want to put himself in the centre stage as he eschewed the saying that the best referee's go unnoticed during the game. Harsh decisions were given for both sides and teams were left unable to compete for collects without giving away soft free passes and penalties. The last fifteen minutes were spent trading goals, as Bec 2, unlike some of Croydon 2, didn't let their heads go down and continued to plug away at Croydon 1. Croydon weren't able to build to return to a 4 goal lead but they were always in control with a minimum two goal gap, as the clock wound down. Final score: 10-12.Croydon have done just enough and no more so far this season, and this will be a concern for player-coach Butters. Bec 2 grew in confidence after a slow start and were by no means outplayed in this match.Match Report by Andy Final Score: Bec 2 10 vs 12 Croydon 1Gary(3)Andy(1)Ingmar(0)Sarah(2)Grace(1)Jane(1)Anna(1)
Bec 1 vs Croydon 2 Croydon 2 took on Bec 1 in the first of a Croydon-Bec first team-second team double header in the cup. Croydon started with Nigel Hudspith (c), Zu Munshi, Lynda Barker and Becky Pratt in attack with Vernon Ellis, Dan Pratt, Julia Johnson and Leah Palfreyman in defence. Bec's Ingmar Evers got the hosts off to a flying start but Croydon soon levelled through a penalty from Hudspith won by Munshi. Bec were back in front with a defended looking drop-off but Croydon again equalised with an Ellis runner. Evers was on great attacking form to score two quick goals but Croydon levelled once again with goals from Evers' opponent Ellis (after great balls from Johnson and Dan Pratt). With 20 minutes gone, the score stood at 4-all and Croydon were playing well and matching their Premier League opponents. However, with the break fast approaching, Bec managed to pull out their lead once again to go into half time two goals up courtesy of Tom Brady. Bec came out for the second half looking re-invigorated and it was during this period that they won the match. Ellis kept Croydon's hopes alive for a short while following his running in shot and Munshi was all over his attacker, but Tom Brady led the way as Bec then scored 4 unanswered goals to bring the score to 10-5. At this stage Bec called a time-out, which seemed to steady their nerves and the teams then traded goals for the last 10 minutes to leave the final score at 13-7. Croydon will be slightly disappointing with the final score, which does not tell the true story of the match. The reserve division team held their own for long periods of the game, and whereas they might not have expected to win, they certainly gave Bec a good run for their money. Bec looked distinctly ordinary in the 1st half but a small, slippery hall is a great leveller. Dan Pratt on the floor count: (a surprisingly low) 5.Match Report by Andy Final Score: Bec 1 13 vs 7 Croydon 2Vernon(4)Nigel(2)Daniel(1)Zak(0)Lynda(0)Julia(0)Leah(0)Becky(0)
Highbury 1 vs Croydon 3 The 3rds had Highbury in their small hall, we also all bar Steph had a wander round the other side of the road school site, Mick was spared the extra tour as we met him in the road as we (me, Mandy, Joe, Andy and Becky) decided there must be something over the road so went to explore some more! Ok hall found, Pete managed to make it and off we start. First attack Mick, Pete, Mandy and Steph (who fitted in very nicely) leaving defense as Andy B, Joe, Becky D and me. Well they started I intercepted yeah! Then did a naff pass which they got and converted to a goal! Our attack then must have touched the ball but only just as seconds later, once again the ball is in defense, we intercept only to give another naff pass (not me this time) and guess what their second shot up goes in! eek and that will be my reason next week to start in attack! I must say it just carried on like that, not the bad passes there where interception by both sides. The small hall does make play difficult as you feel there's no space.... but hey you need the goals too. They had them we didn't, it went 7 -1 thank you oh Mick Moore, then maybe 12-2 with Andy running in with me slightly standing in front of his player. Oh it was just a bad game and I'm not writing any more final score 23 to them and 7 to us. What can I say? They didn't seem to miss and we did and it wasn't just poor shot selection but running in's shouldn't be missed.. and ref did call one of them up for trying to intercept as he ended up running half way into the other section, very annoying... thank you harry for watching the pain of it all! Match Report by Lorna Final Score: Highbury 1 23 vs 7 Croydon 3Mike(3)Andy(2)Peter(1)Joe(0)Lorna(1)Amanda(0)Beccy(0)Stephanie(0)
Pelham 1 vs Croydon 4 With 7 players Croydon started with 3 in attack, with Paul Andrews, Anna Jeanes and Daniel Pratt. In defence, Steve Pratt, Steve Palfreyman, Zoe Shewell and Carol Allen. Pelham scored first but Croydon replied and then took the lead. Pelham retook the lead and it stayed that way until half time. A bit of controversy as Dan Pratt was fouled on a running in shot but scored under duress, the whistle blew and Croydon thought the referee had disallowed the goal, however he just hadn't seen it and gave a penalty which Dan convereted anyway. The section of 3 were working well and Paul picked up the pattern of play extremely well and assisted the 2 more experienced players for drop offs and veers.The section of 4 played well and Steve Palfreyman's battle was good, both of them trading long shots and scoring well. Carol Allen working hard as always, both her and Zoe managing to get shots away. A few drop offs from Dan kept it an exciting game but Pelham had the greater oppurtunities and pulled away to win 16-7. The game wouldn't of been the same without the world renound "Rhino Charge" Steve Pratt wiping out his player with his finishing move! Match Report by Sicknote Final Score: Pelham 1 16 vs 7 Croydon 4Daniel(4)Steve(3)Paul(0)Steve(0)Carol(0)Anna(0)Zoe(0)
