Match Reports 2010-2011

Goal Scorers as at 22 March 2011

Saturday 19 March Away v Blues 2 Lost 8:2

Due to weather problems during the other half of the season we were unable to play against Blues last year. So this was to be our first encounter in the brilliant sunshine, also last as the game was to be worth double points. We had a team of 10 men, against a strong and well filled Blues squad. As the game began Blues quickly took a lead over us, mainly breaking us up in midfield, although we were unable to capitalise on our offensive plays, eventually sneaking a goal from a large amount of shots. During the second quarter we then suffered an injury, leaving us playing with 9 players, with the score being 6 goals to 1 in the favour of Blues. The conditions and odds were high against us, and we expected no victory, however for the remaining 40 minutes we played harder than we ever had, only allowing the opposition 2 more goals out of various attacking opportunities, as well as putting one more of our own in the net. The game was very good fun and well enjoyed, and although losing it was still a good way to put an end to the season.

Saturday 12 March Home v Brighton Lost 8:7

With a squad of 10 men and our last home game of the season, we faced off against Brighton for the second time, looking for revenge from our previous defeat by their hand. From the 1^st to the 3^rd quarter Brighton were leading, finding holes in our defence repeatedly, holding out our attacks, and out-running our midfield. We kept ourselves in the running with them for the whole game, but were still playing a chasing game. At the beginning of the last quarter we were down 7 goals to 2. However with a tremendous effort we made an astonishing comeback, scoring goal after goal and holding Brighton out, only conceding the single goal. But despite our efforts we still fell short of a draw or a win, which although disappointing, still left us with a feeling of satisfaction, knowing that we refused to give up despite the score difference or the odds.

Saturday 05 March Away Cambridge Lost 13:3

Saturday 26 February Away v Colchester Lost 7:4.

Playing the team we kicked off the season against, and previously beaten, now on their home turf. We arrived with a squad of 11, cautious of our opposition, as they had picked up a good momentum as a team since our previous encounter, and although at the bottom of the league they still posed a threat to us. As the game opened we were unable to make much of our offensive plays, with plenty of shots on target but many unable to find the net, as Colchester slowly gained a lead. We soon went down to 10 men as we suffered an injury, and still found ourselves unable to capitalise on the opportunities we created. Although we played well, ran hard, and held out frequent attacks, we were unable to catch up in our chasing game, and as the final whistle blew Colchester were the ones celebrating a victory. The game showed we still lacked consistency within the team, and we had to find some stability to secure more victories.

Saturday 12 February Home v Spencer 2s Won 9:8

Playing against the team that had previously beaten us last year, we expected the same talented and well drilled team, and didn’t fancy our chances of beating them, especially with low numbers and a short-handed defence. However the opening quarter was far from what we expected, playing the best we ever had in an opening quarter, pulling ourselves to a 3 – 1 lead. Spencer were unable to dominate the face off as they had done previously, and we were managing to control the game, finding fluency all over the pitch. Spencer didn’t go down easily though, and by the end of the third quarter, the scores were level at 7 goals each. We had come so far against a team that was challenging for league title, we did not want to lose now. Spencer scored first, giving them their first lead, however we responded with 2 goals in quick succession, pulling us back on top, and we held to our own all the way to the final whistle. Far from anything we had hoped, the game proved just how much potential we still had left, and gave up some new found hope and self belief.

Saturday 5 February  Away v Reading 2s Lost 12:3

From our previous encounter the outcome of this match was not expected. However with a team not fully prepared due to unfortunate travel complications and the wrong mindset, against a vastly improved opposition fielding their most well drilled and largest squad of the season, which they agreed was true, the game was almost certainly not going in our favour. During the game Reading dominated the face off, and were extremely fluent in all positions. We failed to capitalise on many scoring attempts, and failed to find much fluency in attack, or a solid backbone to our defence. Both keepers played an amazing game, but unfortunately for us the rest of the team could not follow suit, resulting in our defeat. We had lessons to learn, and both negatives and positives to take away from this match.

Saturday 22 January 2011 Away Swansea Plate Conceded 0:10

Saturday 15 January 2011 Home Buckhurst Hill Won 10:6

Our first match of the new year, against a rival we had previously beaten earlier in the season by a high score. However we expected no easy game, with lost fitness from the break still lingering and the vast improvement of our opposition since our last encounter. This was reinforced by the first quarter of the game, as our opposition came out hard from the start, picking holes in our defence, putting frequent goals past us, and preventing us from finding fluency in attack. We found the back of the net once, but it still left us playing a chasing game. Coming into the second quarter we managed to find our previous spark, narrowing the game to a draw by halftime. From then on we worked hard, securing a strong lead that led us through to victory. It was a good win, but also a wakeup call to the work surviving this league required.

Saturday 4 December 2010 Home Walcoutian Blues Postponed

Saturday 27 November 2010 Away Bristol Bombers FLAGS Lost 15:1

Saturday 20 November Home v Cambridge Draw 6:6

Back on our home turf, we faced some of the toughest competition in the league, who had previously beaten this year’s favourites to win. A victory here would have been a pure dream to us, and our feeling after the match were that we should have. For the first time, we came out all guns blazing in the first quarter, scoring our ice-breaker within the early minutes of play. With speedier ball movement in attack, an almost total domination of the face-off game, the team riding high on morale and inspiration, we sought to win. Unfortunately we tasted the strength of Cambridge as they fought hard, soon leading the game until we caught up. In the last few minutes of the game, our last goal attempt to clear the 6 goal draw failed, and Cambridge gained a break, stopped by our keeper with seconds to spare. We could not believe what we had just done, taking such a strong team to the edge. We knew our mistakes from the game, and felt that had we ironed those out we would have sailed to victory. With the last tough game of the season to come, we felt ready, ready to show just what Croydon could do.

Saturday 13 November Away v Brighton Lost 7:5

With the previous loss removed from our minds, we intended to cut out the mistakes we made and come out as a stronger team against the previous league champions. However, yet another slow start, and mistakes that Brighton took full advantage of, that didn’t go quite to plan as they scored a quick succession of goals through our bewildered defence. Yet as the game progressed, our game play sharpened up, holding out a large array of attacks and holding out the opposition’s main offensive players. This lead the game through to a much more evenly matched battle, but due to a lack of movement in our attack, we failed to capitalise on many opportunities to score goals where we needed. In the meantime Brighton showed us some of their skill and scored a handful more goals to secure their victory to the end. We hadn’t recovered from our losing streak, but our performance reflected much better for us, and showed that we weren’t so far off the perfect team as we thought.

Saturday 6 November Away v Spencer 2’s Lost 13:5

Croydon’s first loss of the season came at the hands of the brilliantly drilled and skillful Spencer team, well adjusted to their newly promoted position to the division. An uninspired and slow start, in addition to Spencer’s domination of the face-off game, saw the opposition take a quick lead against us, scoring countless goals. Croydon eventually pulled themselves together as the match wore on, holding out endless attacks from Spencer, but found we were playing a chasing game that was too far ahead to catch. We continued the match despite a handful of injuries demoralising the team, to our keeper, defenceman and midfielder, unsettling any control we gained over the game. The game was to be discounted in our minds as we prepared for the next, but remained unforgotten as Spencer had shown us our faults, our improvement areas, and how a well drilled team can rival any opposition.

Saturday 30 October No game

Saturday 23 October Home v Reading Wildcats Won 17:6

Our second home game this season, facing a youthful and tough Reading team. We still expected no easy victory, and our thoughts proved true. The first quarter, Reading came at us without hesitation, picking holes in our defence and scoring, and holding out many of our attacks as we failed to deliver solid performances. The quarter closed with Croydon holding a narrow lead. However, in true Croydon style, the team came back and gave what we knew we should. Our game play suddenly showed much promise, and we began to tear away to hold a clear lead against the opposition. With the ball moving fluidly in attack, and our defence moulding together as a unit, the match showed us how far we’d come as a team, and how much further we could go. We’re unbeaten in the league, and hope that will remain true.

Saturday 16 October Away v Buckhurst Hill Won 2:12

Second match of the season, still riding high on our well fought victory the week before. With extra additions to the bench, and a team gaining confidence within each others’ abilities, we were set to take the game from the first face-off. And we did as intended, coming out fighting and gaining a 6 – 2 lead in the first quarter. From there, a weakened and tiring Buckhurst hill squad failed to put any more balls in our goal, with the match closing at 12 – 2 to Croydon. A much enjoyed game, with much better flowing play showing our teams’ progression, morale was once again on a high.

Saturday  9 October Home v Colchester Won 10:7 

The first game of the new season, taking the side with experience players in its ranks, Croydon's strong 15-man squad. The opening quarter showed us Colchester weren’t to be taken lightly, leaving the quarter at 5 – 2 against us. Despite great power from our defence holding back various attacks, for the next 3 quarters Croydon played a chasing game, trailing behind at 7 – 6 at the start of the 4^th quarter. Fortunately Croydon found its feet, with fantastic efforts tearing holes through their defence, we sailed through to win the game 10 – 7. We’d shown what we were capable of, now to bring down the remaining opposition.

Saturday 2 October Away v Maidstone Friendly Won 6:10

A warm up for Croydon the weekend before the season started, against nearby Kent based team Maidstone from the below division. Held at the opposition’s new ground, on a larger rugby pitch that ensured we would have a hard running game. Although the groundball game was scrappy with Croydon unable to gain quick possession, and a passing game that lacked fluency, the team with a great mix of experience and youth pulled through with a mix of stunning shots and defensive play, bringing the game to a 10 – 6 victory for Croydon. With some extra confidence under our belts, we were ready for the new season ahead.