Croydon got off to a good start against higher ranked Bromley. Bromley started off attacking and a Megan Webster interception gave the Whites the first corner. Jade Asagba rose to header out and on the second corner the Bromley number 14 managed a long range shot which Martyna Balawender comfortably caught. Croydon were spraying the ball around well. Lucy Casey found Kacie Nadison Singh who did a 1-2 with Tammie Adekanmbi on the left who was tackled as she steamed down on goal. Moments later Maya Reber thread the ball to Adenya Henry just inside the Bromley half. She ran at the defence and rounded 3 defenders before unleashing a top corner flyer and gave Croydon the lead 1-0.
Chantae Wallace was looking composed in defence doing ball rolling and neatly finding the packed midfield. Bromley were pinging in long range efforts but nothing Martyna couldn’t handle. Croydon seemed to be in control with Bromley keen to hoof the ball off rather than keep in play, but somehow they were getting beyond the defence with some long balls and this was troubling the Trams. Jade did well to barge a striker off the ball when clear through, Croydon did a nice four player move which saw Megan to Tash Wright, to Kacie who hit a sublime ball for Matylda Katana over the Bromley defence but just a tad too hard to get.
Bromley had a 2 v 1 thwarted again by Jade, whose height, pace and strength were being tested constantly. Bromley were really applying pressure and corner after corner there was goal line clearances from Megan and then Kacie, The inevitable came, a well hit cross from their impressive number 14 was well pushed onto the bar by Martyna, but she could only get a half hand to the rebounded close range effort, and it was 1-1.
Bromley got a second immediately, the number 7 again the catalyst, crossing deep, over Megan and Jade and perfect for oncoming striker to bury 1-2.
Croydon then had a good spell of chances. Tammie ran length of the pitch to stopped by a great sliding tackle. Georgina Fangawa came on and was hassling the whites defence into errors. Kacie was twisting and turning and had a shot go wide. Moments later again Kacie had the ball outside the area. She flicked it over to Lucy who was intercepted as she hit a shot with her left foot. Matylda was another looking dangerous around the edge of the area. She rounded her marker and let fly for the Bromley keeper to do well to save and hold, unfortunately getting a knock in the process for physio Lenin to rush to the rescue. As the half ended there were 2 more long range efforts by Bromley both over the bar.
2nd Half
Croydon came out the second half determined. Kacie chased a seemingly lost cause and forced the Bromley right back to clear the ball into touch. Croydon pressurised Bromley in Midfield and Matylda came away with the ball inside the Bromley half. She sidestepped 2 challengers, and then muscled her 3rd opponent away before unleashing a belter from over 30 yards, beyond the diving keeper and into the onion bag. 2-2.
Instead of being the start of great things for the Trams it was the Elmers End. The next 35 minutes were a show of the differences in the two teams. The Trams tired and although they worked very hard the superior fitness and ability of the Bromley players was too much. Number 7 seemed to grow in speed and stature as the play went on. Getting down the flank she pulled back for her striker to net 2-3. Number 14 hit the bar minutes later from edge of area effort. Number 7 set up the 4th. More impressive wing play and a ball to the oncoming striker at near post this time. The 5th was intricate passing around the box and then an easy unmarked finish. Uche the coach was Beckenham to Croydon to keep trying and Tammie was constantly involved, as was Matylda with some tenacious tackling. A rare goal from the left flank was worked well by diminutive number 11 who crossed well for an easy tap in. 2-6. Lucy was moved to right back and immediately had to block a close-range effort. From the corner Jade majestically cleared again. Croydon pressed and both Matylda and Tash had long range efforts well held by the Bromley keeper. Martyna made an excellent close range save, and moments later Bromley scored but was disallowed due to offside after the ref had allowed play to continue despite a handball in the area by Jade. Adenya raced clear and found Georgina wide who was well blocked with just the goalie to beat. It was a breather for Croydon as Jade gave away a corner tackling the number 15. From the corner it was number 7 who got the 7th. Number 15 had a goal disallowed for offside as Bromley were a wave of white horses crashing through the leaky Trams defence. A brave Chantae blocked a rocket and Tammie was again foiled at the feet of Bromley’s keeper.
The Clock House struck and the final whistle was blown. Despite the score line both teams knew that for 60 minutes it was evenly matched but the experience of Bromley paid dividends at the end.
Player of Match: Matylda – worked tirelessly in midfield and goal of the season contender.
Images © Croydon WFC