CROYDON FC 3 – 1 FC ELMSTEAD

99 people attended Croydon’s last home match of the season and saw the Trams extend their unbeaten run with another victory

To have had an unlikely chance of making the play-offs, Elmstead would have needed a prodigious series of results to run in their favour – that other teams ended any lingering thoughts was an irrelevance as they started with the belief that they could achieve their aim.

A golden chance presented itself on nine during a period when they were pressing but their centre-half blasted over from short range – a definite let off for Trams. 

On twenty-one, Trams were on the end of unintentional largesse, the Elmstead custodian played an air shot in the middle of the field to give Errol Mundle-Smith a clear run and he made no mistake.

Andy Walker shot on twenty-five but his effort went for a corner and six minutes later, David Green played the ball across the face and it was pout out for another flag-kick.

Two minutes later, Green added the second with a low shot following Antonio (TJ)’s cross. As the pressure was maintained, Trams wasted other chances although the Elmstead keeper did well to punch a pile driver from …. Clear.

In stoppage time, the visitors were generously awarded a free-kick on the penalty arc and converted it with a sublime shot just under the angle.

The second half saw Mundle-Smith causing problems, his pace gave him time to shoot over on forty-seven and then a minute later, he created the chance for Green to curl just over..

Another let off for Trams on fifty when a left wing cross was headed and skimmed the crossbar. Mundle-Smith had too much time and wasted a chance on fifty-four as the game started to turn needlessly fractious.

On seventy-three, Trams forced their way behind their opponent’s back line but despite having two chances, failed to find the net.

Two minutes into time added on, Trams attacked at pace down the left flank, Sammy Morgan providing the low centre across the face to … who netted from the narrowest of angles beyond the far upright.

This weekend, April 15th, Croydon play their last league match away to Bridon Ropes, KO 3pm.