Croydon v Lewisham

Wednesday 7 October 2009

London Senior Cup – 1st round

Croydon FC (0) 2 (Nigel Ikocodo 75, Mark Roberts 90)

Lewisham Borough (Community) FC (0) 0

Croydon made hard work of beating a Lewisham side that languish one step below them in the non league pyramid but they eventually did just enough to squeeze past their opponents and now face a trip to Hanwell Town in west London in the next round.

After a couple of bright performances from Dickson Gill’s evolving side, it was probably a bit too much to expect a polished display, especially in the wind swept conditions that played havoc with the Trams passing game, they seemed to hit every pass too short or too long and when they did manage to play a measured ball they fell foul (often marginally) of Lewisham’s offside trap.

Gill made a couple of enforced changes, Lewis Goddard suffered a dead leg on Saturday and he was replaced by John Gladwin and Rob Bartley was struck down by ‘flu – Louis Headley took his place. Strikers Rhod Davis and Nigel Ikocodo were left on the bench so the management could look at Jon Doherty and Mark Roberts.

Neither side looked any great shakes but Lewisham stuck to their task well and harassed the Croydon defence at every opportunity, there was a tendency for the Trams to dwell on the ball at the back and they came close to being punished on several occasions.

The 1st half had little to say for itself but Croydon did have a marvellous chance in the 2nd minute when Gladwin burst down the left and played in the unmarked Doherty, unfortunately the ball got tangled under his feet and the opportunity went begging.

Lewisham didn’t really look much like scoring either although Dean Cupit in the Croydon goal did make a fine flying save to deny Aaron Barrett. He also came off his line quickly to block Lee Plows. Meanwhile the Trans went close when Jake Pitt rifled a shot just wide.

The 2nd half brought more of the same and just when a goalless draw and the prospect of extra time and penalties loomed, Croydon took the lead with a good goal, Mohamed Shugaa burst down the right wing, played in a perfect pass for substitute Ikocodo and watched as his team-mate finished very coolly, making a difficult finish look easy.

A minute later Lewisham spurned an equaliser when Barrett found himself with time and space in front of the Croydon goal but snatched his shot and fired over – he should have scored.

In the final minute, the Trams scored a brilliant goal that left them with a somewhat flattering shoreline- Roberts picked the ball up and struck in a sweetly hit shot form 25 yards that gave Lewisham keeper John Page no chance, it nestled in the angel between post and bar, a truly excellent strike.

Although it wasn’t the most emphatic victory, a win is always good for confidence and this young side should take heart from it. They face Wembley this Saturday at the Arena in the league and if they can get all 3 points then things will really begin to look up.

Croydon: Dean Cupit; John Gladwin; Mohamed Shugaa; Jensen Grant; Louis Headley; Ntipadem Sophonie; Jake Pitt; Dexter Babalola; Mark Roberts; Billy Chincharo (Nigel Ikocodo 67); Jon Doherty (Rhod Davis 64).

Subs not used: Asher Colbourne; Fehmi Ali.

Simon Hawkins