Post by delayedtram on Jul 31, 2014 7:14:03 GMT
Croydon FC 1
Epsom and Ewell FC 2 (HT 1-0)
This was the first home friendly for the Trams. You knew that football's back at Croydon Sports Arena when, entering the turnstiles soon after kick off, you heard the familiar tones of Francis Ameyaw shouting "Keeper!" So he had a touch of the ball soon after kick off.
Both teams were unbeaten in their preseason friendlies. Croydon FC won away to Banstead Athletic, Farleigh Rovers and Raynes Park Vale, and drew at Wembley. Croydon's opponents were the last opposition faced in the Combined Counties League, Epsom and Ewell. The Salts of Epsom had just beaten Horsham YMCA 5-2 in their last friendly. Two of the scorers made their first appearance since leaving Croydon FC. Karl Douglin, a former Trams Player of the Season, and Taylor Smith who left Croydon for Whyteleafe. There were familiar faces for the Trams as well, Ameyaw, Jupe, Hemmings, Badar Mohammed as well as many new faces for Croydon FC as well.
The first goal of the season was Epsom's in the fifth minute, but it was disallowed as the referee had thought the ball was going out for a goal kick rather than in the back of the net! Epsom tried again with Douglin having a long shot that went wide. Soon it was the Trams' turn to score (or not in this case) when Dan Jupe on the right crossed to a central midfielder and there was a shot that was saved by Epsom's goalkeeper. It was then Epsom's turn for a free kick but their shot went over the bar.
Dan Jupe scored in the 30th minute, but that was only after Badar Mohammed's chance to score was rebounded off the goalkeeper and Jupe's shot hit the back of the net, .Following a foul, Justin Hemmings' powerful free kick was saved by the goalkeeper and was the best chance Croydon had of doubling their lead.
As for the second half, Ameyaw was replaced by Byron Levin, formerly of Real Aylesbury FC. Like Ameyaw, he wasn't tested that much. However, nine minutes into the second half, the Epsom number 11 went past the Croydon defence to equalise. Croydon managed to get a bit more possession by now and even tried to get forward, but a chance to score was stopped by an Epsom defender. 23 minutes into the second half, Douglin had a shot that looked like it was going to go in the net, but his shot went just wide of the goal. However in the 72nd minute, Epsom and Ewell took the lead and the game finished 2-1. Watching the game but not playing was Ben Mankelow, who scored in the last CCL game against Epsom.It was also good to see Ben Ewing for the first time since his injury earlier this year.
The next Croydon FC game is at Croydon Sports Arena kicking off at 3PM (followed by the race night starting at 6.30)
Epsom and Ewell FC 2 (HT 1-0)
This was the first home friendly for the Trams. You knew that football's back at Croydon Sports Arena when, entering the turnstiles soon after kick off, you heard the familiar tones of Francis Ameyaw shouting "Keeper!" So he had a touch of the ball soon after kick off.
Both teams were unbeaten in their preseason friendlies. Croydon FC won away to Banstead Athletic, Farleigh Rovers and Raynes Park Vale, and drew at Wembley. Croydon's opponents were the last opposition faced in the Combined Counties League, Epsom and Ewell. The Salts of Epsom had just beaten Horsham YMCA 5-2 in their last friendly. Two of the scorers made their first appearance since leaving Croydon FC. Karl Douglin, a former Trams Player of the Season, and Taylor Smith who left Croydon for Whyteleafe. There were familiar faces for the Trams as well, Ameyaw, Jupe, Hemmings, Badar Mohammed as well as many new faces for Croydon FC as well.
The first goal of the season was Epsom's in the fifth minute, but it was disallowed as the referee had thought the ball was going out for a goal kick rather than in the back of the net! Epsom tried again with Douglin having a long shot that went wide. Soon it was the Trams' turn to score (or not in this case) when Dan Jupe on the right crossed to a central midfielder and there was a shot that was saved by Epsom's goalkeeper. It was then Epsom's turn for a free kick but their shot went over the bar.
Dan Jupe scored in the 30th minute, but that was only after Badar Mohammed's chance to score was rebounded off the goalkeeper and Jupe's shot hit the back of the net, .Following a foul, Justin Hemmings' powerful free kick was saved by the goalkeeper and was the best chance Croydon had of doubling their lead.
As for the second half, Ameyaw was replaced by Byron Levin, formerly of Real Aylesbury FC. Like Ameyaw, he wasn't tested that much. However, nine minutes into the second half, the Epsom number 11 went past the Croydon defence to equalise. Croydon managed to get a bit more possession by now and even tried to get forward, but a chance to score was stopped by an Epsom defender. 23 minutes into the second half, Douglin had a shot that looked like it was going to go in the net, but his shot went just wide of the goal. However in the 72nd minute, Epsom and Ewell took the lead and the game finished 2-1. Watching the game but not playing was Ben Mankelow, who scored in the last CCL game against Epsom.It was also good to see Ben Ewing for the first time since his injury earlier this year.
The next Croydon FC game is at Croydon Sports Arena kicking off at 3PM (followed by the race night starting at 6.30)