Croydon Women bounce back from FA Cup defeat with convincing win over Richmond Park

BY EMMA BOWELL

Croydon Women returned to winning ways this weekend, with a dominant performance over Richmond Park Women’s Dev, following last week’s disappointing FA Cup exit at the hands of Aylesford Ladies.

On an unseasonably warm October day, the Trams got off to a lively start with three quick-fire goals in the first twenty minutes. An early corner, well delivered by Sarah Nicholson, was expertly headed home by Jade Asagba, giving Croydon their first of the afternoon. 

Shortly after, the Trams were on the attack again, with forward Kamilla Ovrevik beating the keeper and slotting home for the Trams’ second goal. The relentless pace didn’t stop there with Megan Perkins getting in on the action to score goal number three just minutes later.

After such a frenzied start, the pace naturally began to settle. Croydon, though, remained the stronger of the two sides and continued to have chances – Perkins placing the ball wide and Ovrevik drawing an excellent save from the Richmond Park keeper, who tipped a strong shot over the bar. 

Unfazed, Croydon kept pushing forward and were rewarded for their efforts when an excellent passage of play allowed Nicholson to get her first, and Croydon’s fourth, of the afternoon.

As the first half drew to a close, a spell of pressure from Richmond Park saw them send two efforts narrowly over the bar. A well-worked corner, in the dying moments, saw them beat keeper Angelina Hewitt-Williams and slot home their first goal.

The second half saw one substitution for Croydon, with keeper Emmy Blyth on for Hewitt-Williams. The half got off to a frantic start, with both sides having early chances. With both sides tiring in the heat, it was Ovrevik who broke the second-half deadlock with a smart run onto a long ball from the back to make it 1-5.

Even with the scoreline firmly in their favour, the Trams kept pushing for more, with Perkins and Ovrevik both having efforts saved. Having run tirelessly all game, midfielder Nic D’Aranjo was unlucky not to get a goal for her efforts, with her powerful shot ricocheting off the crossbar. A tug on Megan Perkins in the box saw Croydon awarded a penalty, though D’Aranjo’s effort was saved.

Perhaps buoyed by that save, Richmond Park had a series of chances, prompting a goal-line clearance by Croydon skipper Sophie Reid and the resulting scramble at the goal mouth was eventually cleared away.

Croydon were not done yet. As the second half wore on, the midfield moved the ball up the pitch, reaching Megan Perkins, who slotted home her second into the bottom corner. Another flurry of chances – and a string of corners – came to nothing before Croydon took their final chance. 

Sarah Nicholson scored her second and Croydon’s seventh just as the whistle blew for full-time.

Croydon now look ahead to Capital Cup action next week as they travel to Crawley AFC Reserves for the first time this season. They are back at Croydon Sports Arena on October 22 when they play local rivals Sutton United Women Reserves in the league.

PICTURES: PETE BOWELL