By Simon Hawkins (Croydon FC)
Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Football League Premier Division
Croydon FC 0
Camberley Town FC 1
CAMBERLEY Town were good enough to run out comfortable winners against a Croydon side who are still learning the ropes on Saturday.
You couldn't say the scoreline flattered the home side although another goal for the visitors wouldn't have been a travesty either.
It was the fact that Croydon just didn't ever seem capable of scoring, while at the same time appearing to be vulnerable at the back that set alarm bells ringing - a recipe for disaster if ever there was one.
The match started off predictably enough with goalkeeper Francis Ameyaw coming to the rescue after Adam Prentice latched on to a good right-wing cross and Croydon showed good attitude when Michael Burton set off on a fine run down the right hand channel and put in a testing cross that Oneal Garnes was equal too.
But the Trams went behind in the 17th minute and never really looked like getting back on terms.
The goal itself was pretty predictable stuff, an error by James White delivered the ball to Jamie Hoppitt about 30 yards out, Hoppitt had time to look around and when he realised that no Croydon player was interested in closing him down, he ran forward a few yards and placed a shot into the top right corner of the goal beyond the despairing Ameyaw.
The finish was exquisite, the build-up was shambolic.
With one goal in the bank, that appeared to be enough for Camberley, they hardly had to send men flying forward and Ameyaw didn't have another save of note to make.
They did head a couple of chances wide from dangerous positions though and generally had the best of the play without being particularly threatening, a good workmanlike performance from them.
Martin Smith made progress down the right and picked out Burton in a good position in the box but the striker couldn't quite sort out his feet and the shot was easy for Garnes to deal with in the end.
Late in the game, Smith sent in another right wing cross, this time for Jaevan Spencer, who hit a decent effort but not decent enough to really trouble Garnes.
Next week the action gets serious when Croydon travel to Epsom Athletic at Chessington and Hook's Sandy Lane ground for an FA Cup tie.
With money at stake the Trams need to get their act together and remember the excellent second half performance at Frimley Green rather than this forlorn display against Camberley Town.Croydon: Francis Ameyaw; Jake Pitt; Slawomir Kielb; Aaron Smith; Matthew Oluyewesi (Oliver Hunt 68); James White (Dekklund Wallace 70); Robert Depeazer (Jeff Kimoto 45); Jason Pinnock; Michael Burton; Martin Smith; Jaevan Spencer.Sub not used: Nick Burke; Thomas Adrian.
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