In the penultimate weekend of the season, Croydon qualified for the SCEFL promotion playoffs.
Croydon were on top from the start, crossing to his right and aiming on target only for a clearance from Lordswood. Alex Arif very soon made an assist, but Cameron Macmillan’s shot was cleared. Another chance from Kanan Fitton led to a corner, taken by Red Jenkins, but Croydon’s Alfie Clark, not to be confused with his Lordswood namesake Alfie Clark, had a chance that was cleared. Lordswood finally got possession later on, the hosts got a corner going to the far post and Albert Penney made the first of a few saves. Next for Penney saw a cross from his right and the goalkeeper went down by the goalpost to save. He had a short break with a ball going wide of the post, but was kept busy as he tipped over the ball behind the post, before saving another corner. All this happened and the half hour mark hadn’t been reached yet. However, with 31 minutes gone, Jack White challenged an opponent and conceded a penalty. Penney went in the wrong direction, and Thomas Davey put the home side a goal up. Very soon, captain Kieran Rufus was substituted having twinged his back, passing the captain’s armband to Alfie Clark. Towards the end, Clark passed the armband to Tom Friend when he was substituted. There was an attempt at an equaliser from Fitton that was blocked, but he kept the ball in play, passed to Tom Walters, who was dispossessed, and a subsequent Croydon throw in was cleared.
52 minutes in and Cameron Macmillan took a run down the right wing, and he equalised after taking a shot. By now, Croydon were getting lively and a chance was saved. Then on 61 minutes, Croydon took the lead. There was a long ball to Macmillan, the first shot came off goalkeeper Roman Hill, but the ball, back to Macmillan went past Hill. It was disappointing for Macmillan that an offside chance denied him a hat trick. The action went to the other side of the pitch, going past the Croydon defence, and Penney tipped the ball over the bar. Penney pushed the ball out a few minutes later, following the ball until it was cleared. The 90th minute approaching, there was a scare for Croydon as the ball went across the goalmouth and Lordswood almost scored. A run down the left by Pat Ward ended with a free kick after he was taken down, but the result saw the ball end up at the far end of the goal and was cleared. An assist from Tom Barton went to Olusegun Akinwunmi but that was cleared. Lordswood got a free kick, and Penney put the ball over the crossbar. The hosts also got a free kick, and Barton cleared this. The ball went from one end of the pitch to the other, ending with, what else, yet another save from Penney.
Ryan Watts, one of Croydon’s joint managers, said : “This was a challenging fixture against a very strong side. We anticipated a competitive match, and that was certainly reflected on the pitch.
I felt we started the game extremely well and were unfortunate not to take the lead early on. It was disappointing to concede from the penalty spot and go into half-time 1–0 down, but overall, from a management perspective, we believed we were still very much in the contest.
At half-time, we made a slight adjustment which helped us become more effective in the final third. Cam(iron Macmillan) produced two great finishes from great team play and was great to come from behind to get ahead in the game.
The most pleasing aspect today was the collective effort. Every member of the squad played their part. To lose a couple of key players to injury and still show the resilience to dig in and come through those moments to secure the result was particularly encouraging.
Today also confirms that we have mathematically secured a play-off place for the second consecutive season. We are extremely proud of what has been achieved so far, but there is still plenty of work ahead.”
Watts also thanked Croydon’s fans, nicknamed the Barmy Trams Army. “Finally, thank you to the travelling supporters, your backing is greatly appreciated. We’ll need you again next week for our final home game against Welling Town.”
The Trams last game before the play offs takes place at Croydon Sports Arena tomorrow where Welling Town will be the visitors, kick off 3pm.
Croydon: Penney, Walters, Friend, Rufus (C) (Dwyer 32)), Clark (Olusegun 82), Jenkins, Fitton (Ward 62), Arif (Barton), Macmillan, Dale (Suttie 87), White.
Subs all used.
In other news, Gavin English has resigned as Croydon Chair with immediate effect, stating work and family commitments. He also said “I have no doubt the club will continue to move forward positively under the stewardship of the board who are well-placed to see the season out as they plan for next year’s campaign, hopefully in Step 5!”
Report by Suniel Bhardwaj.
Photos of the Lordswood v Croydon match courtesy of Daniel Collison.