Sandhurst v Croydon

Saturday 17 October 2009

Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Football League

Sandhurst Town FC (2) 2 (Louis Hibbert 3, Grant Nesbitt 44)

Croydon FC (0) 2 (Mohamed Shuga'a 51, Junior Gyimah 80)

A spirited Croydon side showed their potential in this match, coming back from 2-0 down to snatch a deserved draw that knocked league leaders Sandhurst Town off their perch.

Dickson Gill’s side came into this match on the back of a 4 game unbeaten run but facing the top team they could hardly be criticised for a few nerves, an uncertain start left them up against it and when their hosts got a 2nd on the brink of half-time it looked like too much of an uphill struggle.

Undaunted, the Trams came at Sandhurst in the 2nd half and arguably even did enough to win.

Gill now has a fine young squad too chose from, with options in most positions, with centre back Ntipadem Sophonie absent with a virus Louis Headley stepped in. Lewis Goddard was fit to resume at right back and this allowed his deputy Mohamed Shugaa to move up to the left wing, Junior Gyimah got a start up front after his impressive debut as a substitute, Nigel Ikocodo – carrying a knock reverted to the bench.

Sandhurst were always going to be strong opposition but they had lost their last couple of games, this gave the trams hope but it was quickly dashed when Dean Cupit failed to hold onto James Meahan’s 3rd minute shot allowing Louis Hibbert to net the loose ball with ease.

Croydon were quickly back on the offensive, Gyimah bursting down the right channel and testing Cupit’s opposite number Dan Tillson with a good drive, again the keeper could only parry but there was no-one following up for the Trams.

If Cupit was culpable for the goal then he made up for it with an excellent save after 5 minutes, Meahan got away down the right and the keeper tipped his cross shot wide for a corner. The Trams then played the ball out well from the back Shugaa, John Gladwin and Gyimah combining well down the left flank before Shugaa shot just wide.

Croydon continued to press, a short corner from Gladwin found Mark Roberts who teed up a shot but was disappointed to see it beat the keeper but kicked off the line by a defender, Billy Chinchro fired the loose ball over the bar.

Chincharo went a lot closer with his next effort. Jinking into position he unleashed a goalward bound shot that Tillson just managed to get his finger tips to. The crossbar did the rest.

Sandhurst had by no means ceased to threaten and Cupit did well to get in a good position to deny Hibbert when he got free down the left, then a minute before the break the home side got the goal that should have seen them win the match, Dean Cupit was in the thick of it again, making a fine save from Hibbert but as the ball ran loose again the Croydon defender nearest the ball made the choice and covered the goalline leaving Grant Nesbitt all the time in the world to thump the ball home.

Croydon needed an early goal in the 2nd half to give themselves any hope and they got it in the 51st minute. Rhod Davis laid off a simple ball, Shugaa took a touch, made an angle for himself and passed the ball into the net.

The Trams took the game by the scruff of the neck and pushed Sandhurst back for much of the 2nd half – certainly until they got their equaliser, although clear cut chances were at a premium. Headley - moved up into midfield to accommodate the surprisingly accomplished Brett Law at centre half – was in the thick of thing, setting up another sub, Dexter Babalola for a shot and after that getting fouled on the edge of the area, skipper Rob Bartley hit the wall with his shot.

Gyimah was always a handful and took every chance to run at the defence, when Davis set him up with a lovely pass he made a little space for himself and hit a shot that Tillson had to be inspired to save.

With 10 minutes to go Gyimah levelled to scores with a delicate header from a Chincharo cross, the keeper had overcommitted himself and Gyimah just nodded the ball over him into the unguarded net.

Sandhurst came back into the game then and it was a bit back and forth for the final quarter hour or so, both sides were looking for a win and whereas a cynical attitude would have meant that a point each would be a satisfactory outcome, both teams kept hunting a potential winner.

Gyimah fizzed a shot past the post in stoppage time but in the end the draw was an honourable result.

This Saturday sees Croydon host Guildford City at the Arena, their confidence should be raised by this performance.

Croydon: Dean Cupit; Lewis Goddard (Dexter Babalola 69); John Gladwin; Louis Headley; Rob Bartley; Mark Roberts (Brett Law 45); Billy Chincharo; Rhod Davis; Junior Gyimah; Jensen Grant; Mohamed Shugaa.

Subs not used: Nigel Ikocodo; Jake Pitt; Asher Colbourne.

Simon Hawkins