SURREY MEN'S DIV ONE: CROYDON MO 1ST XI 2 drew with THAMES VALLEY 2

Newly promoted Thames Valley proved to be a very tough side for the unbeaten Croydon MO First XI to crack on the weekend.

Playing at their home ground, Thames Valley dominated the first 20 minutes with some excellent passing and good individual skill.

The pressure finally paid off when they scored from a short corner.

After conceding the goal, Croydon started to come into the game.

With five minutes of the first half left, Croydon should have equalised when Jason Coleman went around two defenders and the goalkeeper but managed to shoot wide of the empty net from one yard out.

After just one minute of the second half, Thames Valley went 2-0 up.

This sparked Croydon into life and they dominated the rest of the game.

Perhaps it was superior fitness, as displayed by Pete Speddings and Mike Chalk, or a stronger will to win but Thames Valley found that Croydon were not going to give up their unbeaten record without a fight.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, Croydon scored after good work by Marcel Klaver and Ian Brotherwood allowed Coleman to atone for his miss and score from six yards.

Three minutes later and Croydon equalised when a slick short corner routine saw James Carter return the ball to Adrian Thommason who flicked past the diving keeper.

If any team was going to win, it was Croydon but their best efforts couldn't beat the home defence.

The 2-2 score line was enough to move Croydon MO up to joint second in the league.

October 24, 2001 16:00