Croydon Women still chase top spot after draw at Acorn Reserves

BY JASON CASEY

With just six matches left for Croydon to salvage their season of high hopes, they were looking for a good result in Copthorne against Acorn Reserves.

Having held the Trams for the first 45 minutes, the Acorns started the second half much brighter. Their number nine was a real thorn in the Trams defence. Getting the ball just inside the opposition half, she ran at the defence, played a sublime one-two with her colleague and slipped the ball past Angelina Hewitt Williams to give the Acorns the shock lead.

The hosts’ lead finally kicked the Trams into second gear and dominated thereafter.

Sarah Nicholson brought the visitors level after Sofia Abad met her corner to head past the Acorn goalkeeper.

The last 10 minutes was one-way traffic as the Trams pressed to try to get the important winner to keep them in second in the Surrey Premier League.

Siane Frances Duncan moved further forward and unleashed another cracker from a tight angle after good wing play, sailing inches over.

Kacie Nadison Singh then found Nic D’Aranjo to pass to the onrushing Nicholson. However, a last-ditch tackle meant the attack went out for a throw-in.

D’Aranjo intercepted again in midfield and found Singh free, but her run at goal and long shot was held by the Acorn keeper, and the ref blew for full-time.

As news filtered through that Sutton Reserves had drawn at Woking, it was a relief that the Trams had kept their 2nd place in the table, with the point well earnt and still top two places up for grabs.

POTM – Nic D’Aranjo – battled well against much taller player and never gave up.

PICTURES: Pete Bowell