Croydon 2 get off to a flyer against Highbury 2After relegation last season Croydon 2 had a point to prove at this level and that they did with a comfortable win over an inexperienced Highbury 2 side. Croydon started with Ed Chaney, Adam Champion, Hannah Driver and Zoe Shewell in attack with Andy Withers, Karen James, Pete Lindsey and ex-Highbury Hannah Evans in defence. Croydon got off to a flyer with captain Champion stealing past his man for a tasty running in shot and this was followed by Chaney scoring a peach from distance after only 2 minutes. The other section took a bit longer to get going with Withers going close on a few chances around the post but eventually he found his range from distance and then found Evans under the post for an easy chance: 4-0. Champion wasn't hanging around and took advantage of Highbury's slack marking to score another runner as soon as he got possession and again Chaney followed up with a long ranger. Withers scored another after turning in feed but Highbury finally got themselves on the score-sheet with a long shot: 7-1. Lindsey's boy dropped off to double Highbury's goals but the final goal of the half went to Chaney with yet another long shot. Half time: 8-2. Croydon started the 2nd half much like the first with James scoring an easy running in shot, Withers another short one, Champion another running-in shot and a drop-off goal for Evans. Soon there was a dbut goal from Driver to cheer but Highbury started getting back into the game at this stage as Croydon got a bit sloppy. A time-out from coach Jeanes was aimed at the attacking play but it seemed to spur Highbury on as they scored a penalty, long shot and a running-in shot. As time ran out Chaney scored a 4th with a drop-off but James had the final word as she scored a running in shot to leave the scores at 15-8. Croydon created chances galore in this game and used their superior height advantage to great effect to snuffle out Highbury, especially in the first half when they really ran riot. Special mention to MVP Chaney - he scored 4 goals but his all round play was great as he intercepted a number of passes and collected a lot of balls...all this with his shorts on back to front. Match Report by Andy Previous photo Next photo1 of 10 Final Score: Croydon 2 15 vs 8 Highbury 2Ed(4)Adam(3)Andy(3)Peter(0)Hannah(2)Karen(2)Hannah(1)Zoe(0)
Late winner gives Croydon 4 perfect start to the seasonCroydon 4 kicked off the 2010/11 season with a dramatic late winner against Nomads 5. Croydon started with Jon and Kathy Dean, Dom Bradford and Charlotte Feakins in defence, Sarah Withers, Martin James, Becky Dean and the returning Simon Mills in attack. Nomads featured a couple of ex-Croydon players including the experienced Richard Burrows and the junior Butters, Ryan. Croydon 4 got off to a cracking start with Mills netting from range but Feakins conceded an early penalty with Burrows converted. Kathy Dean beat her player for a running in shot but James showed a touch of inexperience as he chased a loose ball, leaving his opponent un-defended: 2-2. Nomads scored again but James scored from distance, so Nomads tried again but again they were pegged back - this time by Bradford. Half-time: 4-all. Becky Dean started the 2nd half by winning herself a penalty but she failed to convert from the spot so it was left to Mills to score again, this time with a drop-off. Again Nomads equalised and it was clear this one was going to go down to the wire. Jon Dean scored from middle distance and Feakins followed up and suddenly Croydon had a 2 goal lead but they couldn't keep it for long as again Nomads fought back, and despite a long shot from Becky Dean with minutes remaining Nomads were back level at 8-all. Kathy Dean conceded a penalty and Croydon's day looked ruined but the chance was missed and with seconds remaining Withers finally converted one of her many chances and scored a runner to give Croydon a deserved victory. A great start to the season from a belligerent Croydon 4, with the goals spread around every player and a special mention should go to Jon Dean who did wonders marking Burrows and even found the net himself. Match Report by Andy Previous photo Next photo1 of 4 Final Score: Croydon 4 9 vs 8 Nomads 5Simon(2)Dom(1)Jon(1)Martin(1)Kathryn(1)Charlotte(1)Beccy(1)Sarah(1)
