Much-hyped derby ends goalless (From Kingston Guardian)

Much-hyped derby ends goalless

11:14am Wednesday 4th March 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

The eagerly anticipated local derby between Croydon Athletic and Whyteleafe last night turned into a mud bath at the KT Stadium, with the appalling conditions the winners in a 0-0 draw.

With the monsoon weather starting just prior to the match, Croydon Athletic had an early chance with Sam Clayton, a Whyteleafe player last season, testing Rob O’Hara in the third minute.

A free kick from Danny Waldren, making his 100th appearance for the Rams, was floated in to Shabazz Baidoo, but his attempt was skewed wide.

For the visitors, Asher Hudson looked lively in the early stages and he had a well struck shot which went just past the post and another attempt sliced across the goal but no-one was able to get on the end of it.

Whyteleafe won several corners in the first half but were unable to make any use of them, with more than one being carried straight out of play by the billowing wind.

Ross Flitney in the Croydon goal pulled off a good save just prior to half time from an Ellis Conroy free kick, and at the other end of the field Clayton laid off the ball well to Serge Makofo but he struck it just wide of the post.

By the start of the second half the conditions had worsened considerably with several pools of rain lying on the pitch, and both sides had to battle through the deluge to try and play some decent football.

Baidoo had another chance to break the deadlock in the 66th minute when his long range attempt was saved by the keeper.

However, it was Clayton for the Rams that came the closest with a screamer from 25 yards that hit the post in the 72nd minute, followed by another strike from outside the area that was deflected just wide.

In the end the conditions were the winners, and both sides deservedly came away with a well earned point.

Croydon Athletic: Ross Flitney, Joe Howe, Robbie Ryan, Karl Murray, Richard Blackwell, Romauld Bouadji (64 mins Bradley Duke), Tom Bolarinwa (60 mins Ben Godfrey), Danny Waldren, Sam Clayton, Shabazz Baidoo, Serge Makofo (82 mins Sol Pinnock) Subs not used: Neil Smith, Jeremiah Olusanya

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)