Bedfont v Croydon

Saturday 13 February 2010

Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League

Bedfont FC (0) 1 (og 90+4)

Croydon FC (0) 0

Defeats don’t come much harder to swallow than this, a 94 minutes of backs to the wall resistance, Croydon were undone by a particularly unfortunate own goal, credit to Bedfont, they wanted this win and kept going for it to the end, and really got their just desserts but from the visitors perspective it was an unnecessary piece of luck for a struggling side to get.

Tuesday at Chessington wasn’t much better, an own goal and a spawny ricochet were the difference then as well, although the Trams were on the back foot for much of this match and weren’t allowed to play much football by a combination of a rutted pitch and determined opposition.

Suspension to Ollie Young lead to the return of Ntipadem Sophonie in the centre of defence, Lewis Goddard was injured so Joshua Fraser came in at right back and John Gladwin nursed his wounds on the bench.

Bedfont play in a bleak field right at the end of one of Heathrow’s runways, you could almost touch the belly of the Jumbo Jets as they flew over but that was as thrilling as it got for the Trams, they made hard work of it by constantly giving the ball away and high scoring Bedfont should have been a country mile ahead if they had any composure in front of goal.

After an excellent all round performance in midweek, Adrian Jones was man of the match again in this game. He caught well, was off his line like a shot when necessary and did what was necessary when Bedfont did get the occasional shot on target. An example of his safe hands came when playmaker Mark Nicholls laid the ball out to Stefan O’Brian from a corner and he comfortably held on to the crisp resultant volley.

Bedfont’s possession didn’t add up to more that the odd half chance but they did put pressure on the Trams that was only relieved by the occasional galloping run from Junior Gyimah, he probably went closest of all with 2 good efforts towards the end of the half, the both flew past the post but not by much.

The 2nd half brought much of the same, with perhaps a smidgeon more control form Croydon who weren’t quite so overrun, but other than a couple of fair efforts from Jensen Grant they didn’t have much to shout about.

Bedfont should have scored when Julius Mngadi got on the end of a right wing cross but he could only hit the post with the goal at his mercy.

Jones made one particularly brilliant save late on to deny Gary Meakin and it looked like Croydon might just hold on but it wasn’t to be, as the home side got a late, late corner, the Trams couldn’t clear their lines and the ball eventually rebounded of a defenders back and rolled up the man on the line’s leg and into the back of the net.

Jubilation for Bedfont, despair for Croydon.

Croydon are at home to Epsom & Ewell this Wednesday 17th and the away to Wembley the following Saturday.

Croydon: Adrian Jones; Joshua Fraser (Michael Johnson 65); Craig Phelps; Ntipadem Sophonie; Justin Hemmings; Jensen Grant; Danny Clayton; Joseph Loyzu; Junior Gyimah; Martin Smith; Daniel Penfold (Adrian Ma 78).

Subs not used: John Gladwin; Rob Wingfield; Manny Djornor.

Simon Hawkins