Missed chances cost Croydon dear against KingfisherCroydon hosted newly promoted Kingfisher at Royal Russell school. Croydon fielded an unchanged line-up with Sarah Withers retaining her place instead of Grace Stimpson. It was the visitors though who made the more composed start, retaining possession after possession but their shots weren't finding their targets and whilst Croydon's attacks were short-lived, captain Anna Jeanes nailed one from distance to open the scoring after 8 minutes. Andy Withers had the chance to double the lead after Vernon Ellis won a penalty but the chance was missed and Kingfisher scored to bring things all square at 1-1 after 10 minutes. Kingfisher then went on a three-goal scoring run as they netted a free-pass and two penalties before a Jane Belfourd running in shot interrupted the flow. Croydon's attacking section were starting to lose their composure as Kingfisher pressured the pass well and tempers flaired. In general Croydon were making plenty of chances but they kept missing simple opportunities to get back in the game. Kingfisher kept plugging away though and, through their boys, pulled out a 5 goal lead at half time: 2-7. It was crucial for Croydon to go on a run if they were to get back into it but the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half were much like the first 10 of the first as the ball just wouldn't fall for them. Kingfisher were kept at bay until Zak Omar finally got Croydon going again with an imperious shot from distance. Lorna Elliott then scored a drop-off and the crowd rose in anticipation, although the score was still 4-8 to the Kent side. Kingfisher made a few subs and refound their scoring touch to pull out a 6 goal lead before Dave Butters scored from the back of the court. Belfourd conceded a penalty down the other end though and the chance was converted despite the Croydon time-out in the meantime which saw Ellis and Sarah Withers replaced by Dan Pratt and Grace Stimpson. Pratt was brought on to make a difference to the attack and this he did with two long shots, however it was too little too late. There was still time for Belfourd to get a nasty knock in the face though. She was carried off, eventually to hospital, to be replaced by Karen James. The game petered out shortly afterwards. Kingfisher hassled hard, played well and scored their chances but Croydon will rue the huge number of simple chances that went begging in the first half and ultimately cost them dearly in this game. Match Report by Andy | Updated by Andy Previous photo Next photo1 of 8 Final Score: Croydon 1 7 vs 12 Kingfisher 1Dave(1)Zak(1)Andy(0)Vernon(0)Daniel(2)Anna(1)Lorna(1)Jane(1)Sarah(0)Grace(0)Karen(0)
Croydon 2 beaten by Nomads 2 Previous photo Next photo1 of 11 Final Score: Croydon 2 10 vs 14 Nomads 2Daniel(3)Ed(1)Adam(0)Ben(0)Grace(4)Karen(2)Hannah(0)Julia(0)
Croydon 3 awaken their season with win against Woking 1Croydon 3 hosted Woking 1 at Royal Russell with a strong looking team. Commandant (aka Captain) Gary Heath led the attacking division with Paul Jeanes, Lynda Barker, and Steph Robinson. The defence comprised of big Pete Lindsey, Mark Irving, Zoe Shewell, and Mandy-I-bruised-my-knee-chasing-a-criminal-Furlano. Croydon took control first, when Paul opened the scoring with a great long shot. At the other end of the court Woking secured themselves a penalty decision, but failed to capitalise as the shot bobbled out of the basket. They were quickly awarded a second chance, and duly took it using a different penalty-taker, to bring the scores level at 1 each. Time for the first of many end-changes. In attack, Croydon were passing the ball well and making good movement around the post. Their efforts paid off when Zoe lost her player to run on to a loose ball and secure a running-in shot. In defence, Mandy was working well to block the feed. Zoe was having slightly more trouble, so in a change of tactic decided to head-butt her player. The tactic didn't work well, as after the brief break Woking pulled level once more with a flattish-long shot. Ex-Croydoner Sean pushed Woking ahead shortly afterwards with a long shot of his own. Croydon replied when Paul worked himself in to a scoring position, and buried his second long shot. Scores tied again, at 3 all. Some confident passing led to Croydon's 4th goal. Mark passed to Zoe in the feed, sped past his player to receive the return for a running in shot but became double-marked by the Woking boys, so passed instead to Pete who secured himself a drop-off goal. Woking forced themselves level yet again after a matter of minutes, as one of the Woking girls hurled the ball underarm towards the basket, and it somehow went in! The score was now 4 all. With half-time approaching, Paul showed he's not just good at those long shots when he secured himself a running-in shot. The whistle blew, and Croydon went in to the break with a 5-4 lead. Paul's team talk at half-time obviously affected himself quite a bit, as he worked well with Gary to get into another scoring position and claim his 3rd long shot of the match. Croydon's 2 goal cushion didn't last long, as Woking pulled back to 6-5 with a long shot of their own. The 2 goal cushion was back soon after. Mark threw a perfect pass from the side feed position when he spotted Zoe had gotten past her girl, and she duly scored. Woking almost got themselves a running in shot when Zoe's opponent wrong-footed her and sped towards the post. Mandy's quick thinking meant she switched in time to cover the attack, and the ref agreed it was defended. Croydon were not as lucky with the next decision, as a Woking long shot was allowed despite the belief it had been defended against. Paul didn't allow Woking too much time to enjoy the moment, as he scored his 4th long shot of the match. The end of the match was drawing near, and play was starting to get scrappy in places. Tight marking by Lynda and Steph meant Woking had to rely on their boys to put up long shots, but with Gary and Paul alternatively covering the collect the opposition weren't seeing much of the ball. Paul in particular was fighting for every loose ball, which led to a small confrontation with his opponent. The interruption didn't affect Croydon's play, and they continued their attack, looking to increase their goal cushion. The ref granted Croydon a free-pass, and Mark positioned himself to take it. Under pressure from a Woking boy, the shot bounced out the back of the basket in to Mark's hands, but he failed to score with his follow up shot. Shortly afterwards Zoe was fouled in the collect, and Mark stepped up to take a second free-pass. This time Mark wasn't under as much pressure as the Woking boys appeared to debate who was defending him, but the shot again bounced out the basket. Woking didn't miss their opportunity when awarded a free-pass of their own, and clawed back a goal. Some further tight defending meant Croydon maintained their 1 goal lead, and the whistle blew with final scores 8-7. Croydon 3 should be very pleased with their victory today, having not beaten Woking since November 2006. Woking were almost always chasing the game, but some confident passing and movement in attack combined with great defending (especially towards the end) meant Croydon 3 were able to go on to claim their first victory of the new season. Match Report by Zoe | Updated by Andy Final Score: Croydon 3 8 vs 7 Woking 1Paul(5)Peter(1)Gary(0)Mark(0)Zoe(2)Lynda(0)Amanda(0)Stephanie(0)
Croydon 4 lose out to Highbury 3Croydon 4 travelled to Score to play Highbury 3, it was a game that the team knew would be tough. In attack started Steve Pratt, Jon Dean, Karen James and Charlotte Feakins, leaving Phil Aish, Russell Comber, Hannah Evans and Sarah Hole. Croydon got off to a good start with Karen winning a penalty in the first few minutes which Steve stepped up to take but sadly could not convert. Croydon were then punished for their mistakes with 4 unanswered goals from Highbury but the team were looking good, taking any chance they could to put themselves on the score sheet but it just wasnt happening. Highbury on the other hand couldnt stop and at half time the score was 5-0. After the break Croydon got onto the court but were missing Russell who had done a magic trick and disappeared. No matter, after a minute or so he did reappear again. Croydon got back into the game quickly but it was Highbury who scored the first with two very quick goals. Steve was looking for a goal and when he got the space he took it getting a great long shot that didnt even touch the sides. Sadly this didnt put Highbury off and they scored another three goals to make it 11-1. Luke James managed to get a game too, coming on with 15 minutes remaining and continued to impress in attack but unfortunately couldnt add to his 2 goals he got on his debut. After the final whistle went, Croydon still managed to walk off the pitch smiling as the ref had called a goal by Jon in the second half defended but then gave it after the game! Crazy but true! Leaving the true final score 11-2 to Highbury. A big well done to all that played, not letting their heads drop and kept fighting right til the very end. Match Report by Sicknote | Updated by Andy Final Score: Highbury 3 11 vs 2 Croydon 4Jon(1)Steve(1)Philip(0)Russell(0)Unknown(0)Hannah(0)Charlotte(0)Sarah(0)Karen(0)
