BRIDON ROPES 0 – 2 CROYDON FC

If Croydon thought that we were going to roll over the hosts in the same way as we did in the league fixture, then we quickly learnt that their recent managerial change had made them sterner stuff and much better organised.

A fatuous appeal for offside in the second minute almost cost Trams but luckily an opposition forward hit the rebound wide. Four minutes later, Adam Allen latched on to a ball from the right and crashed it against the post.

The home team found the side netting on eight and on ten, forced a fine diving save as Croydon failed to clear our lines. On thirty-five, Tom Hizzett laid the ball to Jahquan Springer whose effort was block by the goalkeeper’s legs and went out for a corner. Sam Morgan’s flag kick went into the crowded six yard area and was bundled home by Adam Allen.

Croydon were quick out of the blocks after the restart, Chin driving over from distance and then we made another pointless appeal, this time for a penalty which quite rightly was ignored.

Richard White got caught in possession and conceding a free-kick which was headed clear by Jordan Anderson. A slow build up on fifty-nine culminated in Ayetine netting the second from a low ball in from the right flank but generally both teams did well in their build ups but were found lacking in the final third.

White lacked concentration on seventy-one, getting his pocket picked in the arc. The hosts rounded Kamarasi but a rush of blood from the forward saw the ball hit over the open goal. A let- off of gargantuan proportions. 

Harvey Morton let fly on seventy-eight after a studied build-up, his drive being tipped over and then Hizzett delayed shooting after David Green ‘s through ball and the ball was put out.

There was still time for another Allen aberration in front of our goal but Croydon managed save his blushes as defenders got back to block and maintain our clean sheet.

Croydon: Kamurasi, Allen, White, Morgan, McGovern, Anderson (C), Ayetine, Fischer, Hizzett, Springer, Chin, Bogle.

Subs: Fray, Green, Brown, Morton, Palmer