Mitcham TournamentCroydon travelled to Sutton to take part in Mitcham’s tournament, playing were: Anna and Paul Jeanes, Dan Pratt, Karen James, Jane Belfourd, Sarah Hole, Edwin Chaney, Ben Hale and Pete ‘Megatron’ Lindsay. Croydon started the day in a pool with Highbury 1, Norwich Knights and MK Roos. Games were 20 minutes each. Croydon had 5 boys so Dan sat off the first game against Highbury 1, Edwin, Paul, Karen and Anna started in attack with Ben, Pete, Jane and Sarah in defence. Croydon got off to a quick start with Edwin scoring a good long shot to give the team a 1-0 lead. The difference was doubled with a penalty from Paul after Karen had been fouled running in. Highbury got one back minutes from the end with a running in shot but it was too little too late and Croydon had won 2-1. The second game of the day was against Norwich Knights and Edwin sat this one out. Dan stepped in for him and the sections stayed the same. Croydon found themselves down by one quite early after a long shot from Norwich, Dan levelled soon after with a shot from under the post but then gave away a penalty after being out jumped by a girl and Norwich scored leaving the score at full time 2-1. With the top 2 teams going through to the top pool if Croydon could win against the Milton Keynes Roos then they were there. It was Pete’s turn to sit out this time and he missed out on a goal fest as Croydon were 2-0 up after minutes with two lovely turning shots from Paul and Edwin. Sarah then got off the mark with a running in shot and then Dan scored from close range to make it 4-0. Anna and Karen found the mark with a runner and a short shot to bring Croydon’s lead to 6. Dan then found Ben with a lovely pass and he scored a drop off shot. MK then got on the scoresheet with a great long shot to make it 7-1. Croydon though scored again before time with a runner from Anna. So after the first half of the day, Croydon had won 2 lost 1, with a +7 goal difference. Croydon made it into the top pool and faced tough opposition in Bec 1, Mitcham 1 and the ‘Outlawz’. First up was the Outlawz who were a team full of talented ringers. Croydon struggled throughout the game in attack and their opposition capitalised going 2-0 up with a runner and a long shot. It should of been more as they were finding space but they just couldn’t finish. The main whistle blew for time but the ref continued and Ben found Dan for a short shot which he buried just before the final whistle to leave it 2-1. Croydon’s next game was against Bec 1 and it was Ben’s turn to miss one, Croydon started brightly with Jane scoring a running in shot straight away and they doubled their lead soon after with a penalty from Paul after he was fouled running in. Bec pulled one back to make things nervy for Croydon but Anna had the chance to restore the 2 goal cushion from the spot, she missed the first but converted a later penalty to make it 3-1. The final game saw Croydon take on hosts Mitcham 1, Edwin and Pete decided to play half each in this game. Dan opened the scoring with a penalty after being fouled from close in but they were pegged back with a shot from under the post. Mitcham then took the lead with a long shot but Croydon pulled level again with a great long shot from Edwin. A runner from Mitcham looked to of won them the game but Paul scored from mid range to salvage a draw for the team. Overall Croydon can be very pleased, ending the day having Played 6 Won 3 Lost 2 Drawn 1, Scored 18 and let in 10. Dan and Paul finished the day top scorers with 4 each, Paul scoring 2 from open play and 2 penalties with Dan scoring 1 penalty and 3 from open play. Report by: Andy | Updated by: Andy
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