Post by shameless on Sept 1, 2014 19:33:20 GMT
Saturday 30 August 2014
FA Cup Preliminary Round
Epsom & Ewell FC (1) 1 (Taylor Smith 39)
Croydon FC (0) 1 (Dave Waters 87)
They left it late, but Croydon earned themselves at least an extra game in the FA Cup this year when they came back from a goal behind and grabbed a late equaliser. The replay is 7.45 on Wednesday night at the Arena with the winners drawn at home to Burgess Hill Town.
The Trams started the game at a severe disadvantage as star striker Dan Jupe, scorer of 2 goals the previous Monday was unavailable after dropping a piano on his foot, he should be out of action for 6 weeks at least and will be sadly missed both on and off the field.
Head coach Dickson Gill gave debuts to midfielder Adam Griffin and left back Zachary Powell but it was 2 old boys that were the story of the afternoon. Epsom & Ewell boasted former Tram Taylor Smith in attack, it is a wonder that Whyteleafe let him go after poaching him from us as part of the John Fowler exodus – still only 18 he must have a future at a higher level than this. And Karl Douglin had the dubious honour of being presented with last season’s player of the year award – for our hosts – Epsom & Ewell.
Jupe, with his tireless running, left a gap up front that proved difficult to fill and with Badar Mohammed leading the line it left the midfield 5 playing pretty triangles without being able to penetrate effectively in the oppositions half. It was the home side that had the 1st chance after 10 minutes when Kyle Hough escaped his marker and Francis Ameyaw was called upon to save his team, not for the 1st time.
The nearest Croydon got in the 1st half was a superbly flighted freekick from Danny Akers that Mohammed headed just wide of the far post. But despite lacking possession, Epsom & Ewell were the most penetrative but even they failed to make any clear cut chances until the 39th minute when guess who – yes Taylor Smith scored with a fabulous acrobatic volley after a right wing cross.
A change of formation and the introduction of Lauris Chin down the left improved the Trams attacking options no end and they dominated the 2nd half without consistently threatening the goal. Danny Akers came closest when he smashed a 35 yard freekick against the angle of post and bar.
Some lackadaisical defending allowed the home side a golden opportunity in the 61st minute but Ameyaw saved from Harry Hoadley who should really have scored. A goal at that juncture would have seen Croydon out of the competition.
Then with time running out, Dave Waters had a sighter when he had a clean header kicked away by a defender with keeper O’Shane Brown nowhere. With 3 minutes of normal time to go, Ben Mankelow weaved some magic on the right inside the penalty box, surrounded by defenders he kept possession and scooped a cross up left footed that Waters met with an emphatic close range header that must have broken Epsom & Ewell hearts.
With the bit between their teeth, Croydon strove for a winner but despite their momentum, time was against them and they had to be satisfied with the draw.
Croydon: Francis Ameyaw; Danny Akers; Zachary Powell; Adam Allen; Dave Waters; Justin Hemmings (Fray James 72); Ben Mankelow; Steve Cox; Badar Mohammed (Tristan Toney 70); Karl Douglin; Adam Griffin (Lauris Chin 56).
Subs not used: Marvin Hong; James Jordan; Jamie Atkins; Byron Levin.
Report: Simon Hawkins
FA Cup Preliminary Round
Epsom & Ewell FC (1) 1 (Taylor Smith 39)
Croydon FC (0) 1 (Dave Waters 87)
They left it late, but Croydon earned themselves at least an extra game in the FA Cup this year when they came back from a goal behind and grabbed a late equaliser. The replay is 7.45 on Wednesday night at the Arena with the winners drawn at home to Burgess Hill Town.
The Trams started the game at a severe disadvantage as star striker Dan Jupe, scorer of 2 goals the previous Monday was unavailable after dropping a piano on his foot, he should be out of action for 6 weeks at least and will be sadly missed both on and off the field.
Head coach Dickson Gill gave debuts to midfielder Adam Griffin and left back Zachary Powell but it was 2 old boys that were the story of the afternoon. Epsom & Ewell boasted former Tram Taylor Smith in attack, it is a wonder that Whyteleafe let him go after poaching him from us as part of the John Fowler exodus – still only 18 he must have a future at a higher level than this. And Karl Douglin had the dubious honour of being presented with last season’s player of the year award – for our hosts – Epsom & Ewell.
Jupe, with his tireless running, left a gap up front that proved difficult to fill and with Badar Mohammed leading the line it left the midfield 5 playing pretty triangles without being able to penetrate effectively in the oppositions half. It was the home side that had the 1st chance after 10 minutes when Kyle Hough escaped his marker and Francis Ameyaw was called upon to save his team, not for the 1st time.
The nearest Croydon got in the 1st half was a superbly flighted freekick from Danny Akers that Mohammed headed just wide of the far post. But despite lacking possession, Epsom & Ewell were the most penetrative but even they failed to make any clear cut chances until the 39th minute when guess who – yes Taylor Smith scored with a fabulous acrobatic volley after a right wing cross.
A change of formation and the introduction of Lauris Chin down the left improved the Trams attacking options no end and they dominated the 2nd half without consistently threatening the goal. Danny Akers came closest when he smashed a 35 yard freekick against the angle of post and bar.
Some lackadaisical defending allowed the home side a golden opportunity in the 61st minute but Ameyaw saved from Harry Hoadley who should really have scored. A goal at that juncture would have seen Croydon out of the competition.
Then with time running out, Dave Waters had a sighter when he had a clean header kicked away by a defender with keeper O’Shane Brown nowhere. With 3 minutes of normal time to go, Ben Mankelow weaved some magic on the right inside the penalty box, surrounded by defenders he kept possession and scooped a cross up left footed that Waters met with an emphatic close range header that must have broken Epsom & Ewell hearts.
With the bit between their teeth, Croydon strove for a winner but despite their momentum, time was against them and they had to be satisfied with the draw.
Croydon: Francis Ameyaw; Danny Akers; Zachary Powell; Adam Allen; Dave Waters; Justin Hemmings (Fray James 72); Ben Mankelow; Steve Cox; Badar Mohammed (Tristan Toney 70); Karl Douglin; Adam Griffin (Lauris Chin 56).
Subs not used: Marvin Hong; James Jordan; Jamie Atkins; Byron Levin.
Report: Simon Hawkins