Post by shameless on Aug 13, 2014 19:27:04 GMT
Tuesday 12 August 2014
Southern Counties East Football League
Erith Town FC (0) 0
Croydon FC (1) 2 (Badar Mohammed 33, Tristan Toney 71)
After a capable 2-0 win at home on Saturday, the Trams followed this up with another 2-0 victory, this time away from home. 6 points and 2 clean sheets make this an excellent start to the season but things may well be put in perspective when Croydon have played their crucial FA cup tie away to Arundel at the weekend.
This wasn’t a dominant performance but it got the job done. Erith certainly didn’t look a poor side but they appeared to be bereft of ideas once they were in the last 3rd and couldn’t break down their visitor’s strong back line. The blend of Dave Waters’ experience with Adam Allen’s raw potential at centre back meant they could find no way though especially with Michael Craveiro and James Jordan supporting well on the flanks. That left Francis Ameyaw with little to do in goal apart from attending to the odd high ball into the box.
A couple of half chances fell to Dan Jupe and Badar Mohammad in the early going but it was probably about even stevens when Mohammed found himself in a bit of space in the 33rd minute. Erith were slow to close down and that contributed to his shot being deflected as it flew into the net beyond Richard Stroud.
A couple of minutes later a free kick on the left lead to Erith’s best chance with Ameyaw tipping over Alex Nelson’s header but this was more or less the end of the home sides real opportunities.
Jupe was supercharged up front running tirelessly at his opponents and often winning his battles with his 6’6” marker James Holder and his effort nearly counted when he nicked the ball of a defender and zeroed in on goal. Unfortunately his angle was a little too narrow and his near post shot was beaten away by Stroud.
Karl Douglin was a threat all match with his nimble footwork and he combined well with midfield teammates to be a constant thorn in the home side’s flesh and he came close to helping Croydon to double their lead when he forced his way down the left hand channel only to see his pull back go to waste.
Apart from some sporadic bursts, Erith Town put Croydon under pressure for the opening 20 minutes of the 2nd. But suddenly after 71 minutes substitute Lauris Chin won possession in the home side’s half and put in Tristan Toney who made some room for himself and fired in from inside the box.
That was enough to knock the stuffing out of Erith and Croydon eventually wrapped up what became a routine win. There was still time for Steve Cox to drill a shot wide and for Ben Mankelow to make his presence felt off the bench. With a mazy run, an on target shot from a free kick that he had won himself together a booking for a mistimed tackle, he certainly made an impression and he only came on in the 89th minute.
Croydon: Francis Ameyaw; Michael Craveiro; James Jordan; Adam Allen; Dave Waters; Justin Hemmings (Ben Mankelow 89); Tristan Toney; Steve Cox; Dan Jupe; Karl Douglin (Catalin Meresciu 82); Badar Mohammed (Lauris Chin 62).
Subs not used: Rhys Martin; Junior Mitchell
Report: Simon Hawkins
Southern Counties East Football League
Erith Town FC (0) 0
Croydon FC (1) 2 (Badar Mohammed 33, Tristan Toney 71)
After a capable 2-0 win at home on Saturday, the Trams followed this up with another 2-0 victory, this time away from home. 6 points and 2 clean sheets make this an excellent start to the season but things may well be put in perspective when Croydon have played their crucial FA cup tie away to Arundel at the weekend.
This wasn’t a dominant performance but it got the job done. Erith certainly didn’t look a poor side but they appeared to be bereft of ideas once they were in the last 3rd and couldn’t break down their visitor’s strong back line. The blend of Dave Waters’ experience with Adam Allen’s raw potential at centre back meant they could find no way though especially with Michael Craveiro and James Jordan supporting well on the flanks. That left Francis Ameyaw with little to do in goal apart from attending to the odd high ball into the box.
A couple of half chances fell to Dan Jupe and Badar Mohammad in the early going but it was probably about even stevens when Mohammed found himself in a bit of space in the 33rd minute. Erith were slow to close down and that contributed to his shot being deflected as it flew into the net beyond Richard Stroud.
A couple of minutes later a free kick on the left lead to Erith’s best chance with Ameyaw tipping over Alex Nelson’s header but this was more or less the end of the home sides real opportunities.
Jupe was supercharged up front running tirelessly at his opponents and often winning his battles with his 6’6” marker James Holder and his effort nearly counted when he nicked the ball of a defender and zeroed in on goal. Unfortunately his angle was a little too narrow and his near post shot was beaten away by Stroud.
Karl Douglin was a threat all match with his nimble footwork and he combined well with midfield teammates to be a constant thorn in the home side’s flesh and he came close to helping Croydon to double their lead when he forced his way down the left hand channel only to see his pull back go to waste.
Apart from some sporadic bursts, Erith Town put Croydon under pressure for the opening 20 minutes of the 2nd. But suddenly after 71 minutes substitute Lauris Chin won possession in the home side’s half and put in Tristan Toney who made some room for himself and fired in from inside the box.
That was enough to knock the stuffing out of Erith and Croydon eventually wrapped up what became a routine win. There was still time for Steve Cox to drill a shot wide and for Ben Mankelow to make his presence felt off the bench. With a mazy run, an on target shot from a free kick that he had won himself together a booking for a mistimed tackle, he certainly made an impression and he only came on in the 89th minute.
Croydon: Francis Ameyaw; Michael Craveiro; James Jordan; Adam Allen; Dave Waters; Justin Hemmings (Ben Mankelow 89); Tristan Toney; Steve Cox; Dan Jupe; Karl Douglin (Catalin Meresciu 82); Badar Mohammed (Lauris Chin 62).
Subs not used: Rhys Martin; Junior Mitchell
Report: Simon Hawkins