Croydon Arena Monday, April 25th, 2011   Combined Counties Premier Attendance: 71         Croydon 2-4 Sutton Common Rovers
2010 /11

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Croydon faced an uphill struggle in this match, Mole Valley are a very good side who have, in their first season in this Division, high hopes of a top 7 finish, no feat in a very competitive league and they were too good for an under strength Trams on the day. Missing the heart of their defence in Ntipadem Sophonie and Samuel Labinjo, Croydon had club stalwart Aaron Smith at centre back alongside the more than capable David Moores, it did mean that the Trams were a bit fragile at the back though against a dangerous Mole Valley side in which the right footed skipper Richard Smith ran riot down the left. If he could kick with both feet he would have torn the Trams apart. As it was he scored the important equaliser. Croydon’s best period of the game was the opening quarter of an hour and they should have gone 2 up. Michael Johnson sent in a superb free kick from the right and found Martin Smith unmarked in the box. His uncontested header was powerful but over the cross bar. He should have scored. A couple of minutes later in the 11th minute, skipper Smith turned provider when he cued up Leon McDowell to score. Gabriel Adesina deserves much credit for chasing a lost cause and winning the ball from a defender on the goal line, he found Martin Smith whose cross was met by McDowell who steered his header past a bemused and stationary Leigh Bolden in the Mole Valley goal. This shook the visitors into life and Croydon who gave the ball away incessantly throughout the match gradually lost any grip they had on the game. Mole Valley pressed continually and won every 50/50 ball, when a Tram did tackle the loose ball inevitably went to an opponent. This cant all have been bad luck so credit where credit is due. Mole Valley had had a couple of near misses and when Smith found himself behind the defence on the right he made no mistake, slipping the ball past Francis Ameyaw from a tight angle. Croydon did have a couple of half chances – Martin smith hit the target with a long free kick and McDowell swung a shot on the turn past the post but it was Ameyaw who had to work the harder, pulling off amongst others, a fine save from Paul Whitthread and a fabulous save from Daryl Cooper Smith early in the 2nd half. A draw for the Trams looked increasingly unlikely and Mole Valley put the game beyond reasonable doubt in the 61st and 62nd minute with a 2 goal spurt that gave them the points. Liam Holden’s goal was typical of the game, he was in a promising position on the edge of the box but lost possession, unfortunately for the Trams, the clearance come tackle, settled nicely into Holden’s midriff and he ran in to score easily. Croydon were then caught sleeping from the kick off and Cooper Smith beat a non-existent off side trap to run in and score with a neat lob as Ameyaw ran desperately off his line towards him. That was that although Ameyaw had to make a number of great saves to keep the scoreline down. With 8 minutes to go, McDowell kept his incredible goal a game record going with another superb goal, making it 9 in 9 appearances. Released by Adesina on the half way line, he zeroed unstoppably towards the Mole Valley goal, drew the keeper and finish superbly. It was a fantastic solo goal. That should have given the Trams a glimmer of hope but they hardly touched the ball before the final as their opponent s controlled the game brilliantly. There was just time for a stoppage time coup de grace as with Croydon pushing on as they hunted an unrealistic equaliser, substitute Scott Francis found himself unmarked and scored with a neat finish. Croydon play their final game against Chessington & Hook away next Saturday. Come all ye faithful, joyful if not triumphant and have a drink after the game! We need one after this season. MOLE VALLEY SCR REPORT Wightwick debut light''s up Arena Mole Valley SCR travelled faced Croydon in their final away game of the season, and came away with all three points, thanks to a great second half. Croydon started brightly, in a game that was a must win for them, and for the opening 10 minutes, it was all Croydon - bar the occasional break out by Liam Holden. Croydon were quicker to the ball, stronger in the tackle, and creating chances, and the signs were ominous for Valley. On 12 minutes, Croydon''s pressure told, and they took the lead. A mix up between Leigh Bowden and Nemo Adams, eventually saw the ball only half cleared. From Pitt''s cross, McDowall headed Croydon into the lead. Valley were struggling to get any foothold into the game, and were fortunate not to fall further behind, when Johnson headed over from a corner, when unmarked. Gradually Valley got back into the game, and both Richard Smith and Liam Holden went close to levelling the scores, but their shots were blocked. With just over half hour played, Valley levelled. Debutant Nick Wightwick fed Holden, he played in Smith, and he fired low beyond keeper Ameyaw. Paul Whitthread had a header well save and Holden sent a header wide, as Valley ended the half on top. Valley started the second half positively and Daryl Cooper-Smith saw his shot well saved by Ameyaw, and it was no suprise when they took the lead on the hour mark. Smith set Holden free on the left, and he fired low through Ameyaw. It was 3-1 almost immediately, as Valley regained possession from the kick off, Darren Evans released Cooper-Smith and he lobbed the advancing keeper. The impressive Wightwick bought a good save from Ameyaw and then saw an effort blocked by a defender, with Cooper-Smith firing the rebound against the bar. Despite their dominance, Valley were still susceptible to the odd Croydon breakaway, and with just under 15 minutes remaining Croydon reduced the arrears. Aaron Bogle missed an interception, Whitthread and Aaron Smith attempted to play the offside trap, but failed, which saw McDowall run through on goal and fire passed Bowden. Cooper-Smith bought another good save from the excellent Ameyaw, before scoring was finished in injury time, James Brown won a midfield header, Cooper-Smith played the ball to substitute Scott Francis, and he crashed the ball home from just inside the box. Manager Darren Salmon was very pleased with the second half performance, but picked out the inspirational Whitthread, and 18 year old debutant Wightwick for special praise. The result guaranteed a top 10 finish for Valley in their first season in the combined Counties Premier Division. Croydon: Francis Ameyaw: Lewis Goddard: Michael Johnson: Simon Mensah (Jeff Duah-Kissie 57): Gabriel Adesina: David Moores: Jake Pitt: Aaron Smith: Martin Smith: Leon McDowell: Denzil Waters. All subs used. Mole Valley SCR: Leigh Bowden: Aaron Bogle, Nemo Adams, Paul Whitthread, Aaron Smith: Tyrone Roberts, Darren Evans, Nick Wightwick, Richard Smith: Liam Holden, Daryl Cooper-Smith Subs: James Brown (for Wightwick), Taylor Mollatt (for R Smith), Scott Francis (for Holden)