CROYDON FC 11 – 0 CHESSINGTON & HOOK

 This scoreline equalled Croydon’s record set just over sixty-five years ago against Banstead Athletic in the Surrey Senior League. Local goalkeeper Ted Moon was between the sticks for the visitors that day and one of the local papers used the headline “No wonder the moon was blue.” The return game, seven days later, saw the Amateurs complete the double by just the odd goal in three.

 

But back to the present, every game is a potential banana skin and Trams this afternoon kept their footing. And how. Chessington were forcibly transferred to the Scefl last summer and haven’t really recovered from the upheaval caused from up above, languishing bottom of the table.

 

A team that looked more imposing than Trams but that clearly wasn’t the be all and end all as Croydon had the motivation and ability to succeed. Having had an early effort chalked off for offside – even from the stand, the decision couldn’t be questioned – Trams forced their way in front on twelve. 

The lead came after a scramble and Cameron Macmillan was on hand to force the ball home. The lead was doubled on twenty-one  – Spencer worked hard to create space but shot wide and Macmillan volleyed home at the far post to double our advantage.

And within five minutes, Trams netted their third following a throw from Jack White on the left flank. He launched the ball into the six yard area, Keiran Rufus headed it backwards and Kanan Fitton effectively put the game out of the visitors reach.

The game then appeared to became slightly becalmed as the visitors tried to get back but without making much headway. Spencer dribbled on forty and created space for himself – he spot and the goalkeeper tipped the rising ball over for a corner. The flag kick was sent in by Red Jenkins and found Fitton who headed home number four.

Chessington shot themselves in the foot within two minutes of the restart by conceding a penalty and Jenkins walloped it home down the middle. Number six arrived on fifty-two when Trams surged down the right flank and Dwyer curled the ball home from eighteen yards.

With the game safe, the management started to utilise the bench but it was Macmillan who outpaced the floundering defence to hit the ball across the face and inside the far upright for number seven.

A timely block by Rufus kept the visitors at bay on the hour before another strike – this time from Pat Ward – was chalked off for offside. Again no complaints from the stand.

Substitute Barton found himself clear midway through the half but delayed shooting and as a consequence was blocked.

Ward though, wasn’t going to be denied for long for on seventy-three, he flicked a centre over the goalkeeper from the edge of the area with the outside of his boot.

Seventy-nine saw Barton grab a goal although from the stand, it looked as though he had delayed too long but he was able to force the ball over the line. Chessington appeared punch drunk as Trams went one over the eight

The final two strikes came in time added on when Stacey Petrou and Ward netted the final two to equal the club record set in January 1961!.

CROYDON ARE NEXT IN ACTION ON FEB 21st VS SC THAMESMEAD ALSO AT CROYDON SPORTS ARENA

The London Senior Trophy draw sees Croydon confirmed away to Wimbledon Casuals on February 28th – kick off 2.30pm – in the semi-final. The final will be against the winners of AFC Greenwich Borough v Tooting Bec. Details TBC.

 

Croydon: Boorer, Walters, Friend, Rufus (Suttie), Clark, Dwyer (Dale), Fitton (Ward), Spencer (Barton), Macmillan (Petrou), White, Jenkins.

Subs (unused): None