Croydon notched up three points with a win at home against Spencer Women’s IIIs.
Croydon started with, and I quote someone else here, some of their best play this season.
The pace was fast, the passing was accurate and abundant.
Spencer tried hard and had some good players, but they never really looked like mounting a huge response to Croydon’s attack.
Croydon’s player of the match, Sarah Buckley, opened the score line, with a reverse flick goal from a short corner. This was the controversial point of the match, in Spencer’s eyes, because they argued it was a raised ball.
Spencer didn’t get the decision they requested.
Croydon gained another goal from a set play. Here, Sarah slipped to Helen Anderson who took a shot at the far post, which was slotted in by Emma Livingstone-Jones.
Lisa Chalk (L.Bell), had an excellent game at left back, with some pivital passes to Sarah Buckley, and up the wing to Hannah Duncan. Hannah in turn showed her ability to spot a pass, and was feeding the ball towards the forwards starting off excellent plays up the pitch.
From the side-line I saw Croydon keep possession in a 6 pass move, that moved the ball up and up the pitch. It looked amazing.
Sarah scored the final goal in the second half, she received it just on the top of the D, and had the presence of mind to make a swift and hard strike.
Fiona Loxton, provided her usual communication that meant, you always had someone to pass to even when you didn’t have time to look up. She ran it up the wing, and often made vital interceptions that stopped Spencer in their tracks.
Captain, Becky Forshaw, did a reverse stick move to flick the ball over a Spencer stick, to keep a run up the left wing. By this time, Croydon were starting to look very classy indeed.
Netty and Jen, again made important tackles, and used their vision of play from the back to communicate well with the team to make sure everyone was positioned properly to contain Spencer’s hit outs.
Kirsty made some important clearances back in defence which were very calmly taken.
Mrs B had to cope with a few short corners against her, but she laughingly told me that she had much less to do this week, than normal. Sorry Mrs B, we don’t want you to get bored, but we like it that way.
Wendy played several positions back in defence, which isn’t always easy, but she coped with it well.
Several people have commented to me over the past week or so, that the thing about our team is we look after each other. It felt fun out there yesterday. Looking forward to next week away at Wimbledon.
Come on Croydon.
Thank you to Chalky (Mike Chalk) and Finny (Simon Finn) for giving up their Saturday to umpire. Great job guys. Thanks
Player of the Match: Sarah Buckley (9)
Other votes
Fiona Loxton (1)
Emma Livingstone-Jones (1)
Wendy Howell (1)
Lisa Chalk (1)
Hannah Duncan (1)
Thanks to Captain and Coach. Hope the black eye goes down soon Becky.
Thanks to the loud and loyal side line which this week included: Lili, Annalie & Brooke & Adrian (Plums), Mikey B, Dan & Oliver, Pepper and Liz’s parents
Are you still reading? Well done. If you fancy a good clean laugh, then Croydon 1s ladies are hosting a games night on the 25th March at the club house.
Posters and more information will follow.
