Croydon v Chessington & Hook

Wednesday 12 August 2009

Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League

Croydon FC (1) (Grant Cunningham 34, Aaron Adgeyman 90)

Chessington & Hook United (2) 3 (Shane Graham 25, Scott Todd 32, Darren Smith 85)

Croydon’s uninspiring start to the league season continued with this frustrating, albeit entertaining defeat at the hands of a mediocre Chessington & Hook side.

After Saturday’s humiliating 4-0 defeat away to Ash United it was to be hoped that a line could be drawn under that result and that it could be filed in the box marked “beginners nerves” but in the 1st half it looked like more of the same as the Trams looked off the pace and second best. The 2nd half brought a much-improved performance but that was undermined by 2 sendings off.

Predictably changes were made to the Croydon team, Grant Cunningham replaced Tyron Roberts up front and his place in the centre of defence was taken by Rob Bartley. Richard White replaced Aaron Smith in midfield. Whilst White gave the side physical presence, Cunningham had a very good game up top and showed potential as partner to Jamie Marriott.

Star of the show, unfortunately, was the referee who showed no empathy for the game at all, with the grass a little lush and glistening from a soaking, he booked a succession of Croydon players for marginal tackles, certainly no believer in the benefit of the doubt and sent 2 re-offenders off in the 2nd half with a flourish of a red card, in doing so, of course, reducing the potential for the game to turn into a thriller as the Trams fought to come back.

Croydon had a couple of nibbles in the opening exchanges, Cunningham battled through but saw his shot comfortably saved by Dave Buss and a Dan Westerman free kick from the left found the head of Sam Groombridge whose effort was blocked.

Chessington had a chance when a free kick from Scott Todd clipped the heels of Reece Jackson, sent Chris Arnold the wrong way and went just wide.

The visitors took the lead in the 25th minute when Croydon found themselves over stretched at the back as Shane Graham ran through, it was 2 versus 1 at the back and as Arnold raced out he was calmly chipped by Graham from some distance.

The Trams could have got back into it immediately, a short corner from Westerman was fluffed by Buss and White’s resulting effort was headed brilliantly off the line. Seconds later White had another good opportunity when Cunningham broke down the right and put in a superb cross but white steered his header wide.

Chessington hit a hammer blow in the 32nd minute when a rash challenge on the edge of the box by Groombridge on Todd brought on a definite penalty. Todd stepped up and thrashed the ball past Arnold.

Croydon’s response was once again commendable, as helped by an inept intervention by a defender, Cunningham found himself with only the keeper to beat, kept his head and finished well to bring the Trams into the game.

The home side continued to press either side of half time, a powerful Steve McNamara free kick tested Buss and a Westerman cross was so nearly converted at the far post by Cunningham who went in bravely only to see his attempt creep wide.

Then midway through the second half with Croydon trying impressively to get back into the game, their efforts were undermined when Tim Murdoch and Westerman were both sent off for 2nd bookable offences. Murdoch’s infringement looked especially innocuous.

That should have been that but 9 man Croydon battled on and definitely made Chessington sweat on their lead as they started to play 5 men in defence. Aaron Adgeyman really began to come into his own down the left and gave his opponents no end of trouble as time ran out. In one instance his had a great run but his shot was eventually saved.

Just when it seemed that Croydon had a sniff, Chessington scored the winning goal. Jackson found some space on the right crossed and Darren Smith’s effort went in courtesy of a deflection off a covering defender.

The last 10 minutes saw the Trams give it everything they had and Adgeyman nearly did enough to win the game for his team; scoring once and going painfully close twice more. His goal came after Arnold made a crisp save and punted up field for Adgeyman to successfully chase, then slip past the keeper and score.

His other attempts saw him chip just over a stranded Buss and then head into the keepers waiting arms from an accurate White cross.

This was a curious performance from the Trams, toothless with 11 men in the 1st half and dynamic with 9 in the 2nd. Perhaps a glimmer of hope but there is definitely work to be done.

It’s Shoreham in the FA Cup at home this Saturday, a win is imperative, we shall see!

Croydon: Chris Arnold; Jimmy Beauchamp; Steve McNamara; Richard White; Rob Bartley; Sam Groombridge; Dan Westerman; Tim Murdoch; Jamie Marriott (Jamie Lawrence 69); Grant Cunningham; Aaron Adgeyman.

Subs not used: Rhod Davis; Leon Wallace; Louis Clough; Craig Clark.

Simon Hawkins