Combined Counties League Division One
Sheerwater 1-2 AFC Croydon Athletic
AFC Croydon Athletic bounced back from the disappointment of their home defeat against Ash United by recording a hard fought victory at mid-table Sheerwater on Saturday.
The Rams started brightly and from Danny Penfold's second-minute corner, Jordan Martin rose majestically at the back post to power a header home to put them one up.
Although the game was fairly even it was the Rams who posed the main threat with the pace of Aaron Agyeman and Josh Smith, while the home side looked vulnerable at set pieces.
This proved the case in the 23rd-minute when Penfold delivered a perfect free-kick for Tayler Maddock to head home for 2-0.
If the visitors thought they were in for an easy afternoon they were mistaken and Daniel Burnett and his defence had to work hard to keep their goal intact.
The second half continued in the same vein, with Sheerwater searching for a goal but looking vulnerable to a counter attack.
The hosts were reduced to ten men but they still went in search of an equaliser.
The Rams held firm and even had a goal disallowed when Jordan Martin headed in but was adjudged to have climbed on a defender.
The Rams held on for an important win to lift themselves to second in the league, five points behind leaders Farleigh Rovers with two games in hand.
The Rams now turn their attention to the London Senior Trophy with a home game with Lewisham Borough (Community) FC, kicking off at 1.30pm.