Croydon 2 show bags of character to fight off Highbury 2Croydon travelled to the other side of London to take on newly promoted Highbury 2. Croydon started with Dan Pratt (c), Ben Hale, Lorna Elliott and Hannah Evans in attack, with Andy Withers, Adam Champion, Karen James and Jane Belfourd in defence. Highbury started the game but were quickly a goal down after Pratt scored from a drop off shot, Withers kept the pressure on with two interceptions but it was the hosts who scored next after Croydon had tried to switch. With the scores level Croydon were trying to push ahead and Belfourd had thought she put Croydon back in front but her running in shot was disallowed for travelling. Belfourd though did manage to bag the next goal soon after with a shot from mid-distance. Highbury were looking desperate and Croydons defence looked on top but the hosts managed to create a gap and scored from distance to level the scores again. Pratt got Croydon going again soon after and scored from long range to give the visitors a lead at 3-2. Croydon kept finding opportunities and had the chance to double their lead after Elliott was fouled running in. Pratt stepped up to take the resulting penalty but the ball trickled out, however Pratt collected the rebound and Evans was quick enough to beat her defender and score a running in shot to make it 4-2. Highbury had an injury worry and made a substitution but they had not notified the referee and had to wait until the next whistle to make it formal. Croydon piled on the pressure and went further into the lead when Belfourd grabbed her second of the game to give Croydon a 5-2 lead. Highbury though were not about to let Croydon run away with the game though and pegged them back with a long shot. Elliott won her team another penalty and Pratt stepped up once more, no problem this time and Croydon were 3 goals up again. Croydon seemed to switch off though, and some bad passing and silly mistakes let Highbury back in, the hosts scored with a running in shot and then followed quickly by a mid distance shot to bring them back within a single goal. Highbury kept up the onslaught and were soon level with yet another shot from long distance, Croydon were looking a little weary and coach Dave Butters had to call a time out. The break in play did not seem to get Croydon back into their game, they were struggling to put away chances in attack and allowing Highbury too much space close to the post and were soon punished when the hosts pushed ahead with a mid distance shot to give them the lead for the first time in the game at 6-7. Despite a last push from Croydon they couldnt pull it back before the half time whistle went. The break gave Croydon a chance to talk things over and try and shake things up a bit. The visitors headed out to restart but found themselves even further behind from a shot close to the post. The score didnt look good as Croydon were staring at a two goal deficit at 6-8 down. Croydon looked shaken, and coach Butters had to take another time-out early on. The words seemed to take affect this time and Croydon quickly were creating chances again, Champion rounded his defender and looked certain to get a running in shot but was barrelled down by his marker. The referee had no option but to point to the spot. Withers stepped up and converted to bring Croydon within a goal. Withers then scored a lovely shot from long distance to level things up at 8-8. Coach Butters felt the need for change and subbed himself on for Hale. Butters immediately began to test his shooting boots and comically as he verred away and out of court, he tripped over the line-tape and went head over heals into the tennis court next door! A touch embarrassed, his shot wasn't too far away and was collected by Pratt who found space from his marker and got his fourth of the game. Butters then found his range and scored from the corner to double Croydons lead at 10-8. Croydon were back in front and determined to keep it that way, a flurry of chances went begging but Belfourd managed to grab her hat-trick with a neat running in shot (using an effective start-stop-start-and-twist technique) to give Croydon a cushion. Highbury thought they had pulled one back straight after but Pratt was there in time to get the defended decision. This gave Croydon another chance in attack and Champion got on the score sheet with a shot from behind the basket to give the visitors a commanding four goal lead. Highbury had a chance when Withers was adjudged to have fouled and it led to a penalty but Highbury put the ball against the front of the basket, Withers grabbed the rebound and pushed it out, unfortunately the attack couldnt make use of the extra possession and Highbury regained control and scored a running in shot to bring them closer. It was left to Butters to kill off any hopes of another comeback when he drilled one in from long distance to make it 13-9. Coach Butters decided now was the time to give Zoe Shewell her first taste of second team action and swapped her on for Evans. Highbury were awarded another penalty when Elliott had tried to block a pass but was penalised for marking the boy maybe somewhat unfairly. Highbury though were having no luck from the spot as they failed to convert another penalty. Croydon were attacking well and were close to pulling away further but the full time whistle blew before they could extend their lead. Overall, Croydon had a scare but showed determination to pull themselves back into the game and shut the hosts out at the end. They have come through their first challenge with the points but will face bigger challenges this season and need to work on cutting out the mistakes. That said, they did create plenty of chances and should have been comfortable throughout the game. Match Report by Sicknote | Updated by Andy Previous photo Next photo1 of 5 Final Score: Highbury 2 9 vs 13 Croydon 2Daniel(4)Andy(2)Adam(1)Ben(0)Dave(2)Jane(3)Karen(0)Lorna(0)Hannah(1)Zoe(0)
