Croydon Women lose top of the table clash against Ashmount Leigh

By Jason Casey

Croydon Women hosted Ashmount Leigh at the Croydon Sports Arena on Sunday as the two top teams in Surrey Premier League battled it out for top spot.

Ashmount Leigh started the brightest in an intense encounter, with Yoyo Oke proving a menace to the Leigh back four.

Just as the trams were looking the more dominant, a clumsy foul by Jade Asagba meant a free kick from 35 yards was awarded. 

Danielle Boyd superbly struck the free kick from distance, and the ball flew into the roof of the net to give the visitors the 1-0 lead. It would be the only goal of a tight encounter.

They nearly doubled their lead instantly, but Hewitt Williams, who had parried a shot from distance back into a dangerous area, reacted fastest to smother the ball and deny their attacker.

The half time prep talk by Croydons coaches Lenin Nadison and Uche Ibemere was obviously encouraging for the Trams as they came out determined.

A lovely move between Sophie Reid, Kacie Nadison and Sarah Nicholson involving nice triangles around the opposition saw Nicholson slip the ball to Z’Goria Boret, who held the ball well, but her pass to D’Aranjo to shoot was well intercepted.

With 10 minutes to go, the Trams continued to pressurise the Ashmount back four.  However, the final ball was careless with players free – Carina D’Souza shooting wide with a team-mate free and onside.

Somehow, Ashmount Leigh had absorbed everything the trams could throw at them. The Trams have flair and pace a plenty, but sometimes good old-fashioned grit, teamwork and minimal mistakes can make the difference.

Croydon are now four points behind league leaders Ashmout Leigh.

Next Sunday, the trams are at Home to Milford & Witley, where they will hope to score their first goal of 2023.

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Croydon Women Development 3-1 Lambeth All-Stars Reserves

In their baptism into the Clapham Saturday League, the trams were looking to keep their hopes of a top finish alive. 

Lambeth, who lost the reverse fixture 2-1 earlier in the season, also had a chance of making the top two, so a lot was at stake.

It was an evenly fought contest at the start of the first half with limited chances to the trams. Suddenly Jarmily Arcanjo de Arcanjo received the ball on the left flank. She darted down the wing beating her opponent, and then cut inside 18 yards out from goal. As the keeper encroached, she calmly slotted into the back of the net. 

The All Stars shone brightest in the early exchanges of the second half. It was against the run of play that Anna Busarello found herself in space just outside the 18-yard box. She hit a rocket of a shot that looked like it was going over, but last minute, it dipped and hit under the crossbar and into the goal to extend Croydon’s advantage. 

As Lambeth applied more pressure, a half clearance from the Trams defence fell kindly for the on-rushing All-Star, who side-footed a goal back. 

The Trams scored their third in a bizarre situation. The opposition keeper placed the ball down, not noticing a Croydon striker lurking behind her. She then picked the ball up, giving away a free-kick inside the six-yard box. Lambeth packed the goalmouth with players, but Tacia played the ball back to Busarello, who lifted the ball neatly between the wall of defenders and acquired her brace to bag Croydon’s third.

PICTURES: Pete Bowell