Report

Wandle Wanderers came back from a goal down to force a honourable 1-1 draw against high flying Croydon.

A bright sunny morning ensured the overnight freeze did not cause the cancellation of the day. A 30 minute delay in kick-off ensure the pitch took a stud and was playable.

The U9s lined-up with a defensive formation of:

Goalkeeper – Sam

Defence – Neo, Rashaun and Tyrese

Midfield – Kieran

Forwards – Alex and Jack

The delay of kick-off didn’t help overcome a sluggish looking Wandle. Straight from the kick-off Corydon found lots of freedom and a low cross from the left was mis-judged by Sam and Croydon went into a 1-0 lead with little over 30 seconds gone.

1 MINUTE – Wandle 0 – Crodyon 1

Wandle continued to sleep-walk into the game and it wasn’t until the 10^th minute that Wandle had their first shot, with Kieran having a long range effort just wide.

Finally Wandle woke up and soon afterwards Alex  broke through the defence and forced a diving save from the Croydon keeper. Kieran hit the rebound just wide and within a minute forced another save out of the Croydon goalkeeper.

The U9s were now moving quicker and started to take control of the game. After 13 minutes Alex sent a corner over that was missed by everybody and from the ensuing goalmouth scamble Croydon cleared off the line.

Croydon came back into the game and had an effort just wide from a corner. Croydon began to regain possession and had two long range shots in quick succession that were saved by Sam.

Moments later Croydon again broke free and only a last-ditch tackle from Tyrese saved Wandle from going 2 down,

After 21 minutes Alex had another fine dribble that was saved by the goalkeeper.

The game went from end-to-end and from a Croydon break away three unmarked Croydon forwards decided to shoot wide rather than hit the net. After this let-off Wandle began to wrestle control of the game again and finished the half by forcing a succession of corners.

HALF TIME – Wandle 0 – 1 Croydon

Wayne changed the formation at the start of the 2^nd half, bringing on Dante into midfield and moving up front. The line-up was:

Goalkeeper – Sam

Defence – Tyrese, Neo and Kieran

Midfield – Dante and Alex

Forward - Rashaun

Within 2 minutes of the 2^nd half Croydon were back on the attack and Shot wide went straight through on goal.

Wandle’s first chance of the 2^nd half came after 2 minutes with Dante sending a shot wide.

Wandle began to dominate and from a corner a Croydon defender nearer put a header in their own net. Soon afterwards, Alex, who kept the Croydon defence busy all day, had a shot deflected for a corner.

15 minutes into the 2^nd half Rashaun broke free on the right of the penalty area and a fierce cross-shot could only be helped into the net by the Croydon goalkeeper.

15 MINUTES – Wandle 1 – 1 Croydon

The match was set for a frantic final 10 minutes.Croydon came storming back and only another fine tackle from Tyrese prevented another Croydon chance. At the other end Alex forced another corner but this was easily cleared by the Croydon defence.

Into the last five minutes Wayne sent on Jack, replacing Kieran, in the hope of pinching a late winner. However, Croydon were pressing as the game drew to a close. A corner resulted in a shot just wide before the final seconds saw a well-worked Croydon free-kick that resulted in a shot just wide.

The ref blew the final whistle before there was time to take the corner.

Wandle can feel satisfied with a draw against a team that has previously beaten them twice this season. But for a sluggish first 10 minutes we could be toasting a Wandle victory.

Rashaun won Man of the Match for a busy performance and fine goal.