Missed chances cost Croydon dear against local rivals MitchamCroydon hosted Mitcham in a rearranged Tuesday evening clash. Croydon lined up with Belfourd, Baker, Ellis and Omar in attack, with Hudspith, Chaney, Jones and Jeanes in defense. Croydon were looking to improve on recent slow starts with a high tempo from the off. However, Mitcham had other ideas as Bower fired from distance early on, and the teams switched ends at 0-2. However, Croydon got on the score sheet early with a sharp chance from Jones, and traded the next few goals to bring it to 5-2. A period of stalemate ensued with Omars section defending well, whilst Hudspiths section attacked with some fluency at the other end right up until the final shot. Despite rattling the basket several times Croydon could not make the breakthrough, and eventually Mitcham scored to open up a gap that Croydon were never to close. The game continued in similar vein after the break, with not a lot to choose between the teams overall play. Croydon threatened on a few occasions to get a run going which would have put us back in the game, but each time Mitcham managed to find a response. A few late goals for Mitcham as Croydon legs tired flattered the score. Mitcham will feel this was a hard fought but ultimately comfortable victory. Croydon will see this as a missed opportunity to put a mid-table team under some real pressure. They will look back at two missed pens, and several missed runners and shots inside 5m as evidence that the score should have been a lot closer. Match Report by Nigel | Updated by Jane Final Score: Croydon 1 12 vs 20 Mitcham 1Zak(5)Nigel(1)Vernon(0)Ed(1)Unknown(1)Anna(3)Kim(1)Susan(0)Grace(0)Jane(0)
