Tonbridge Invicta Hurricanes 1    Croydon Juniors 8   Sunday 21^th October 2007

Maybe it was the sun, maybe it was the long warm-up, waiting for the final Croydon players to arrive.  Whatever the reason, the Hurricanes looked sleepy this week, as they crashed to a strong Croydon side.

Hurricanes began on top, with the first goal mouth action seeing a strong shot from Kieron Matthews being charged down by the Croydon defence.  There were few other threats on the Croydon goal, however.  Kane Joseph was chasing valiantly the occasional ball that found its way through but the tall (very tall!) Croydon defence were confident and composed and snuffed out any danger.  At the other end it was a different story.  Five minutes into the game a break down the right wing saw a Croydon forward looking certain to score until Sam Greehy arrowed in with a fantastic sliding tackle.  Moments later a left wing Croydon break was halted by Will Clark in similar fashion.  But the pressure told.   The next break down the left wing got through and a good strike put Croydon one up.  Five minutes later they were two up when the ball bounced kindly for the Croydon forward bustling his way through.  A great save from Stanley Hill with his legs kept Croydon at bay for a while but they added another just before half time to make it 0-3.

Kieron replaced Stanley in goal for the second half and almost at once was in action, saving well from two dangerous attacks.  Stanley added a bit of bite to midfield and early on released Kane well on the right wing but his cross was cleared.  A defensive clearance ricocheted off several players before falling to a Croydon forward to score their fourth, but Hurricanes did not give up.  Sam in particular was tackling fiercely and successfully and Harry Hine linked well with Stanley on occasion to add some impetus to the midfield.  A rare strike on goal came ten minutes into the second half, with Stanley’s effort being well blocked.  Kane sent in a cross from the right which Elliot Checkley skilfully controlled on the edge of the box before creating an opening, but again the shot was blocked.  Moments later, a Tom Mair tackle stopped Croydon’s attempted clearance and the ball fell to Stanley who beat two players, was tripped, jumped up again and surged into the area, almost beating the keeper to the ball.  This was Hurricanes’ best period and it produced their goal:  a Sam free kick was helped through by Stanley for Kane to run onto and score with a fine low drive into the corner of the net.  1-4.  And a shred of hope?

Well, only a shred really.  Croydon were taller and stronger, and just wanted it that bit more.  Some of the Hurricanes were just a little too slow to react today.  Four more goals went in as the second half wound down.  Kieron made some excellent saves in goal as well; he turned a fierce shot round the post with an outstretched foot and made a fantastic flying save to turn the ball onto the crossbar and away.  In fact the last two Croydon goals had already been well saved by Kieron, but the Croydon forwards were quicker to the loose ball. 

Man of the Match, as voted by the supporters:  Useful on pitch and excellent in goal:  Kieron Matthews.