CROYDON FC 0 – 1 SE DONS

Whilst the result at the final whistle might have been as disappointing as the rest of December, Trams performance certainly was not. With four only goal defeats to close the old year, it is clear where the problem lies but how to get over it is the $64k question.

The history between the clubs in the past eighteen months suggested that the game would be a battle royale and so it proved and without some of the unnecessary macho behaviour of hitherto.

There were two contrasting halves with Trams defending further up the field and causing some problems but without the firepower to find the back of the net. The effort expended would have caused many sides to buckle  but the Dons held out and we turned round level.

It was the visitors who had the first real chance when they curled a shot just wide of the far upright on five and then two minutes later, a low unrequited centre across the face. A breakaway down the right ended with the ball being lifted over the oncoming Tommy Taylor but wide of the back stick. Some of our defending was desperate but effective and as we held them at back, we had a glorious chance of a breakaway goal on thirty-three. Kanan  Fitton centred low but Neil Spencer couldn’t make contact. 

Trams wasted a free-kick on forty and Dons broke at speed and a half volley compelled Taylor to leap to his right to tip the ball round for a corner.

After the restart, the visitors spread the ball around well and it was clear that Trams were being forced to defend  deeper that we would have wanted and rely on breaks when we had the opportunity.

Defensively, Trams did well to restrict Dons, our packed penalty area stifling them with Taylor being forced being kept on his toes to produce the occasional save to keep us in the game. And there was a stoic display by Alfie Clark who barely put a foot wrong.

But there was still the sense of foreboding, a  sense that Dons might pull a rabbit out of the hat. And then we got deep into time added on – a loose pass in front of our dug out went out of play.. With one last throw of the dice, Dons took a quick one and spread the ball across to the left and pressed forwards. A low shot eluded Taylor through a welter of bodies hit the far post and rebounded into the net. Maybe a deserved winner as the visitors had edged it but nevertheless another kick in the teeth

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Croydon: Taylor, Walters, Friend, Rufus, Clark, Palmer, Fitton (Ward), Dale (Kamara), Spencer (Eldridge), Riches, Barton

Match Report: Steve Tyler