Croydon deliver Brum City shut-outCroydon lined up against Birmingham City for their first game in the Champions Trophy. They started with Anna Jeanes, Lorna Elliott, Dan Pratt and Andy Withers in attack with Zak Omar, Dave Butters, Grace Stimpson and Jane Belfourd in defence. Croydon started well with Pratt dropping off after 3 minutes to open the scoring, with Jeanes following his lead shortly after. Omar, whilst stinking of Deep Heat, was looking lively and scored from under the post and from mid range. Croydon were now firmly in control as Elliott scored from a typical drop-off and then Withers fed her from a mix up in the Birmingham defence. Butters scored from the corner and the 20 minute half was over. 7-0 to the Premier League team. Butters took the opportunity to play some subs as Pete Lindsey came on for Pratt and Hannah Evans for Elliott at half time. Birmingham were trying different things in attack with varying degrees of success and they did win a penalty but could not convert the chance. Butters then subbed himself and Stimpson off to be replaced by Ed Chaney and Karen James. Croydon and Birmingham battled hard but chances were few and far between and after a time-out for both teams, Chaney scored the only goal of the half with a neat drop-off. Final score: 8-0. For Croydon this was a nice warm-up game with some nice goals and a good confidence builder with City failing to score. Match Report by Andy Previous photo Next photo1 of 12 Final Score: Birmingham City 1 0 vs 8 Croydon 1Zak(2)Andy(0)Dave(1)Ed(1)Daniel(1)Peter(0)Anna(1)Jane(0)Lorna(2)Grace(0)Hannah(0)Karen(0)
Nomads power past Croydon in 2nd halfCroydon's next match was against one of the trophy favourites, Nomads. This was a must-win game for both teams, as the outcome would surely decide who would top the pool after day one. Croydon kept with the same line-up that started against Birmingham City, while cash-strapped Nomads had their first team out. It was Nomads who got the scoring started with Ana Osbourne scoring from under the post but Croydon pinched a goal back after Jeanes intercepted and scored from the back of the basket. Butters then won and converted a penalty but Ean Irwin brought the scores level with a great long shot, 2-2. Nomads were then awarded a dubious penalty with Olds converted but again Croydon found a lifeline as Withers intercepted, dribbled a bit and eventually the ball fell to Pratt who dropped off to score. Croydon's defence was too slack though and Anthony Taylor scored from distance. Half time: 4-3 to Nomads. Croydon needed to get back into the game but it was Nomads who scored twice in the first 4 minutes. Pratt turned in the feed to score to bring hope to the South Londoners but Nomads were now getting into their stride. Croydon's defending became increasingly desperate and Nomads took advantage to score 3 without reply. A Croydon time-out was called at 9-4 to rally the troops but as Croydon chanced their arms with time running out, Nomads were able to run the clock down and take advantage of any risks that were taken. Croydon failed to take their chances with Nomads buried their's with Olds putting the icing on the cake. Final score: 4-13. The scoreline flattered Nomads a bit but Croydon were left to chase the game after conceding early in the 2nd half and their shooting just wasn't on the same level as the travellers. Match Report by Andy | Updated by Andy Previous photo Next photo1 of 10 Final Score: Nomads 1 13 vs 4 Croydon 1Daniel(2)Dave(1)Zak(0)Andy(0)Anna(1)Grace(0)Jane(0)Lorna(0)
Croydon slay Cardiff's DragonsFor their last pool game, Croydon had to put their Nomads disappointment to one side and ensure they were still in the contest with a win against Cardiff Dragons. Coach Butters decided to play all his subs from the off so Withers, Butters, Stimpson and Elliott were all rested. After a tepid first 5 minutes, Pratt got the scoring going after some trademark trickery under the post and he followed this up with a peach from downtown and after a drop-off from Omar and a runner from Belfourd, the Welshies were under some pressure early on. Jeanes got in on the act with a runner of her own but then Croydon seemed to think the match was won and switched off: Omar and Evans conceding. Half time: 5-2. The subs all came on at half time but it was one of the starters, Chaney who scored a simple chance from in front of the basket to kick off the half. Butters was having a bit of a torrid time against his Dutch-Welshie, Remco, though and conceded 2 in 2 minutes and Withers wasn't tight enough on his man and suddenly the Dragons were breathing fire and back in the match at 7-5. Withers steadied the Croydon ship though with one from distance and then fed Evans for a neat running in shot and calm was restored at 9-5. Stimpson won a penalty which Butters converted but the Dragons weren't out of puff yet as they scored 2 more but Croydon closed out the game professionally, sealing a 10-7 win. Not a perfect display from Croydon by any means but after a hard day running around this game was bound to be a bit bitty. The highlight of the game was Chaney's attempt to retrieve a loose ball: he managed to catch up with it before kicking off pitch. "Taxi for Chaneyyyy" rang out around the hall. Match Report by Andy Previous photo Next photo1 of 9 Final Score: Cardiff Dragons 1 7 vs 10 Croydon 1Ed(1)Peter(0)Daniel(2)Dave(2)Zak(1)Andy(1)Hannah(1)Karen(0)Jane(1)Anna(1)Grace(0)Lorna(0)
