Croydon 1 never in trouble against Bec 3Croydon took on Bec 3 away with captain Zak Omar joined by Ed Chaney, Grade Stimpson and Hannah Driver in defence, Dan Pratt, Sue Baker, Julia Johnson and Vernon Ellis first attack. Croydon wanted to start fast and this they did after 2 minutes with a long shot from Pratt and then a trademark goal off the collect but Johnson was too slow in defence and Bec 3 got a foothold on the game. This didn't last long though as Stimpson was all over her shorter (but faster) opponent so Bec struggled to retain possession and create chances. Meanwhile Omar scored the first of his 3 penalties, Johnson got revenge with a drop-off, Chaney out-collected and scored from a put-back and Driver scored a well-balanced middle distance shot. 20 minutes gone and Bec needed a time-out. This didn't phase Omar though as he stepped back on court and scored his penalty but Bec did come back into the game a little from here as Driver and Chaney conceded but Driver scored another long shot to end the half 3-9. With the first attack of the second half, Croydon showed they meant business with Johnson scoring the first shot after a swift inter-play. The game meandered a bit from here with Pratt looking for, but not finding, decisions from the ref and so after 10 minutes Jane Belfourd was brought on for Baker, which was enough to put Omar off his penalty. Ellis scored from distance and then Andy Withers was brought himself on for Pratt but this time Omar the substitution didn't affect Omar and he scored from the spot. The new section took a little while to find its mojo and eventually Omar's section conceded but Chaney is on a good run of goal-scoring at the moment and scored a runner and a long shot soon after. Driver, not to be out-done, scored her hat-trick goal before beating her player twice and setting up Stimpson for 2 near identical drop-offs from each side of the post. Bec salvaged some pride with a couple of late goals but they were long playing for goal-difference by this stage. Final score 7-17 and frankly it was a comfortable, professional performance by the visitors, they were never really troubled by the hosts and kept the large home crowd in check from the first whistle. Match Report by Andy | Updated by Andy Previous photo Next photo1 of 9 Final Score: Bec 3 7 vs 17 Croydon 1Ed(4)Zak(3)Vernon(1)Daniel(2)Andy(0)Hannah(3)Grace(2)Julia(2)Susan(0)Jane(0)
