VCD Athletic v Croydon

Saturday 1 August 2009

Bulmers Cider Kent Football League Challenge Shield

VCD Athletic FC (0) 0

Croydon FC (0) 1 (Aaron Adeyman 55)

So, 3 games, 3 trophies! Easy game this for the Trams eh! Kent League Cup, Southern Youth Cup and now the Kent League Shield, any dispassionate onlooker would think it’s plain sailing for Croydon.....

After the upheavals of the summer and with a squad boasting an array of new faces (only captain Tim Murdoch and fellow midfielder Aaron Smith were with the Trams last year) this was a most encouraging start to the season in a game that wasn’t quite a full blown competitive one but was much more than a bog standard friendly too.

Croydon seem to spend an inordinate amount of time in Crayford (especially when the home side forget to put any money in the meter) but at least they got this year’s visit out of the way early. The Kent League must have been bemused to host a match knowing that come what may the trophy up for grabs was going to a club that wouldn’t be competing under their umbrella in the coming season. VCD are, of course, playing at a higher level after winning the league last term and their cup winners, Croydon have made a sideways move into the Combined Counties.

Trams have had a very solid preseason so far, especially considering that new manager Mike Robbins has had to get his feet under the table pretty sharpish and this was as good a test as they were going to get before the season kicks off in earnest next week at Ash United. VCD have had to look to improve their squad to be effective in Division One of the Isthmian (Ryman) League, and with, in their case, a fortnight to go before the big kick off they didn’t start with all their big guns in this close match.

In fact, VCD really didn’t trouble Croydon that much at all, they had a few hopeful long range efforts that keeper Chris Arnold had to be wary of, but it’s hard to recall them getting much pressure on their visitors in the box, or for that matter them making much headway down the flanks either. That isn’t to say the Trams were setting the world alight either, but they did perhaps, ease into slightly better positions and they did score the decisive goal.

Croydon looked to have decent balance, Smith and Murdoch acting as the fulcrum of midfield with the swift Tyron Roberts and Aaron Adeyman on the left and right flanks, Jamie Harriott looked as if he has the skills to lead the line, quick feet and a big physical presence, but he was clearly not fully fit, supporting him was the mercurial Daniel Westerham who drifted deep in his search for the ball but who clearly knew what he was doing when he found it. The central defence of Grant Cunningham and Bryan Pearce – latterly – Sam Groombridge kept VCD at bay with Jamie Lawrence in the 2nd half and Darren Delgrado doing their defensive duties ably.

Westerman was 1st to impress when some quick control gave him a bit of space but he drove wide from about 25 yards out.

With23 minutes gone, VCD had their best chance by far, in the only serious bit of miscommunication between the Croydon defenders, they allowed the potent Leroy Huggins to steal the ball and head unopposed for goal. Arnold stood firm and saved well as Huggins elected to shoot from distance.

Roberts battled down the right to set up Harriott with a good opportunity but unfortunately the shot didn’t live up to the approach work. Anthony Hogg had a powerful shot well wide for VCD before Westerman drifted in and had a similarly unsuccessful attempt for the Trams.

Croydon very nearly took the lead in the 1st minute of stoppage time. A short corner from Westerman eventually ended up with Harriott who’s fierce close range strike was blocked away desperately.

At the start of the 2nd half some nice approach work set up Harriott again but his shot was tame, he made up for it in the 55th minute though when he made a major contribution to Croydon’s winning goal, Roberts again forged down the right and pulled back for Harriott who’s shot looked in but veered away at the end to strike the foot of a post, James Tedder in the VCD goal looked to be in position to mop things up but the ball slipped through his fingers like soap and Adeyman was on hand to bundle the ball in from close range.

The Trams had a golden chance to double their lead when a long punt from defence beat the retreating defenders and Westerman ran through from an onside position, Tedder raced him for the ball but Westerman got there 1st only to chip just wide.

Arnold had to save smartly down low to his left to thwart a speculative effort from Hogg but VCD hardly threatened other than trying pot shots and great play from Delgrado right at the end could easily have been rewarded with a goal but Westerman blasted over with only the keeper to beat.

We will know a bit more about the genuine merits of the team when they travel to Ash United next Saturday, in the meantime, let’s relish a little more silverware in the clubhouse.

Croydon: Chris Arnold; Sam Groombridge; Darren Delgrado; Aaron Smith; Grant Cunningham; Bryan Pearce (Jamie Lawrence 45); Tyron Roberts (Leon Wallace 60); Tim Murdoch (captain); Jamie Harriott (Zim Lita 72); Daniel Westerman; Aaron Adeyman.

Subs not used: Rod Davis; Jamie Williams (gk)

Simon Hawkins