Croydon 2 toppled by Cambridge CityCroydon 2 travelled up to Nottingham knowing that Cambridge City would provide a tough test and would need to be beaten if Croydon were to progress to the next stage of the EKA cup. Croydon warmed up while Cambridge played Magic aware that Cambridge would probably start the game at a high intensity, but would hopefully tire in the second half. Croydon set out with Champion, Hudspith, Belfourd, and James in attack, and Omar, Hale, Stimpson and Evans in defence. Croydon started brightly and took an early lead but were pegged back to 1-1. Croydon then scored two without reply to make the score 3-1 and were playing the better korfball of the two teams. However, two quick goals from Cambridge levelled the scores and the rest of the first half was a tight affair ending 5-5. The half time talk was positive with Croydon knowing that we were playing well and believed that a couple of areas of Cambridge's defence could be exploited in the second half. Cambridge, however, had themselves spotted some weaknesses in Croydons defence and played with a clear game plan in the second half. Namely, feed the girls with lads looking for drop-offs wherever possible. In the early encounters of the second half Cambridge executed their attacks better than Croydon and built up, at one point, a four goal lead. Croydon fought back well but struggled to string together a run of goals without reply. The game returned to the tight encounter of the first half with both teams playing well but unable to dominate proceedings. Unfortunately for Croydon, once the game settled back into this pattern, Cambridges buffer of goals never really looked in doubt as the second half started to draw to a close. With five minutes to go, Shewell came on for Belfourd, quickly picking up the speed of the game but unfortunately time was nearly up. Final score 11-8. It is fair to say the team was frustrated with this result, rightly believing that we were good enough to have beaten Cambridge City and could not wait to get back on the court to face Magic and prove the point. Match Report by Ad | Updated by Andy Final Score: Cambridge City 1 11 vs 8 Croydon 2Adam(3)Nigel(1)Ben(0)Zak(0)Grace(2)Hannah(2)Karen(0)Jane(0)Zoe(0)
Croydon 2 comfortably see off the MagicAfter a close defeat to Cambridge City 1 in the previous game, Croydon 2 came out looking for a convincing win over Nottingham Magic. Croydon set out with Omar, Hale, Evans, and Stimpson in attack, with Champion, Hudspith, Belfourd, and Shewell in defence. Croydon got off to the perfect start with a simple running in for Omar in what was possibly the first attack. Magic, however, replied soon afterwards with a soft drop-off on Champion. Hudspith scored a penalty after Champion was fouled taking a shot under the post but again Magic replied. This game was not going to plan. However, from this point on Croydon stepped up a gear scoring seven without reply before half time. Hale scored a pen, Evans scored two running in shots and was really putting her girl to the sword. Champion scored a cheeky running in after a great feed from Hudspith, and followed this up with a drop off. Omar scored a funky one handed fade-away drop-off type thing, and Hudspith scored his second penalty of the game. Somewhere in amongst all of this Croydon also missed a penalty. 9-2 was the half time score. The second half started as the first ended with Croydon scoring two without reply. Champion scored a running in and Omar scored shortly after the switchover. James came on Belfourd after Champions goal about five minutes into the second half. Hale missed a penalty after Evans was fouled after getting passed her girl again for a running in, but Hale scored soon after. Magic got back on the score sheet from under the post to make the score 12-3 but James replied with a long shot after some fluid build up play. There was bit of a goal draught for Croydon following the switchover and Magic made a couple of substitutions. The game, from Croydon's perspective, felt won. Magic, however, did manage to score one more but Stimpson, who had been dominant throughout, despite the lack of mention above, replied to make the final score 14-4. Match Report by Ad | Updated by Andy Final Score: Nottingham Magic 1 4 vs 14 Croydon 2Adam(3)Zak(3)Nigel(3)Ben(1)Hannah(2)Grace(1)Zoe(0)Jane(0)Karen(1)
Croydon 3 lose way after Butters' early injuryThe match didn't start well, when the teams couldn't get into the hall before 10am, and the match had to start less than 10 minutes later. It was Croydon's home game, but due to the unavailability of Royal Russell, we had to use Trinity. Coach Dave Butters started wife Emma, with Steph Robinson, Mark Irving, Dave Hall, whilst the other end saw Julia Johnson and Sarah Hole working with Pete Lindsey and Ed Chaney. Within minutes of the starting whistle, Butters turned her ankle and had to come off, leaving her section down to 3 players. Highbury took advantage of the lack of a 4th girl, and put their shots away to draw away. Highbury played fast and were confident putting their shots up and collecting. Croydon pushed them, but couldn't keep up. It was obvious that the Highbury players were used to playing together, whilst for the Croydon team it was the first time the sections had played together. As the game progressed the Croydon players continued to work for their shots and gradually began learning each other's way of playing. After some encouraging words from coach Butters at half time, and with the appearance of Anna Jeanes to come on as a sub, the second half started easier for the players who had worked so hard in the first half. Highbury were still playing fast and shooting accurately from distance though, helped by their tall players ability to jump 10 feet into the air to collect! Gary Heath came on for Mark Irving in the 2nd half, at some point! Although Croydon had gone out hoping to win this match, it just wasn't to be and the final score ended 14-4 to Highbury. Croydon 3 did show how much potential they have though, with a good mixture of new players, seasoned players, players returning after a break, and players playing up. It's looking good for the league matches to come. Match Report by Anna | Updated by Andy Final Score: Croydon 3 4 vs 14 Highbury 1David(1)Peter(1)Ed(0)Mark(0)Gary(0)Sarah(0)Julia(0)Stephanie(0)Anna(2)Emma(0)
Croydon 3's slow start builds to solid West Country winAfter the loss against Highbury 1, Croydon 3 were looking to show what they were really made of, against the travelling Bristol side. Jeanes and Robinson paired up again, with Irving and Heath, leaving Johnson, Hole, Chaney and Lindsey together. With the sections now a little more used to each other's style of play, the start of the match looked more comfortable for the Croydon side. Despite this it was the spirited Bristol team who got onto the score sheet first with a lovely long shot. It wasn't to last though as Croydon replied to even up the scores. Both teams were testing each other a little wearily at this stage, looking to get collects before taking too many shots, and the match hung around at 1-1 for what seemed like an eternity. The stalemate was eventually broken, but as before, both teams scored a goal within a short space of time, to leave the scores again even. Johnson was having a fantastic game in attack, running her player ragged and getting feed after feed from the Lindsey and Chaney. Chaney wasn't letting her have all the play though, putting up some great shots of his own, that only just missed. (It must be the straightened of those arms that improved the shots!!) Hole was keeping her player so busy she didn't know where to look, and in defence was making sure her player didn't get a look in! Up the other end a few sloppy passes by the more experienced players (yes, that was me!) let the side down, but confidence was building as we went into half time. Another stirring half time chat from coach Butters, and the Croydon team came out all guns blazing. Heath decided it was about time he started scoring, and did so, getting a hat-trick for the game whilst Chaney's first half close misses, turned into 2 superb goals in the second half. Robinson started finding her shooting boots, putting up long shots that bounced round the inside of the korf and out again. After a couple of those, she got bored and calmly ran round her player for a text book running in shot! Irving was all over the pitch in defence and in attack, having put springs in his boots at half time! His player struggled to get shots away, and then struggled to defend him as he seemed to be everywhere at the same time. Hole was showing her aggressive side! Not giving an inch, and putting up shots of her own, as well as out-collecting the men when they weren't concentrating! Johnson was calmly earning herself player of the match, by not stopping. Putting up good shots in attack, and being all over her player in defence, as well as dropping off to collect loose balls as well. Hall came on for Lindsey in the 2nd half, and the momemtum continued, with Croydon's experience showing. Bristol didn't give up at any stage, and were well in the match for about 75% of the game, until Croydon drew away. They fought for possession and put up some great shots that just didn't fall for them. Final score 9-4 to Croydon. Match Report by Anna | Updated by Andy Final Score: Croydon 3 9 vs 4 Bristol City 1Gary(3)Ed(2)Mark(0)David(0)Peter(0)Anna(2)Julia(1)Stephanie(1)Sarah(0)
