STAPLEHURST MONARCHS 0 – 3 CROYDON FC

With only mid-table pride at stake, this match started slowly albeit with the home team having the upper hand.

Andy Walker was thwarted on eight when the home custodian dived at his feet to snuff out a chance whilst four minutes later, Tiwa Fujamade dived low at his right post to maintain parity.

What was refreshing was that our defence did not procrastinate when the hosts threatened, the ball was summarily wellied clear. A safety first policy which paid dividends.

Our opener came on sixteen when Antonio Clements created space on the right to send in a low shot which was fumbled and crept almost apologetically over the line.

Aaron Mundle-Smith proved a handful on twenty-one but saw his shot saved at the near post but twelve minutes later, doubled the advantage. Clements laid the ball to him and the power in the shot beat the keeper.

Trams were in the ascendancy and kept up the pressure. David Green saw a drive pushed round for a corner before on forty, Clements played the ball inside to Mundle-Smith who flicked it home.

Half-time appeared to affect Trams rhythm as Staplehurst came out more determined and for long periods, were in the ascendancy without finding the net.

Fujamade blocked a long range shot on fifty-three as we weathered the storm and the longer the game went on without the hosts scoring, the better it was from our standpoint.

We started to regain some control and took the game to the hosts, a breakaway resulting in the home team receiving a caution on sixty-seven for deliberate handball.

Eldi Baze hit a free-kick on to the roof of the net from thirty-five yards as we held on to our advantage to claim the points.