A new era but same result for Croydon Athletic
CROYDON ATHLETIC 1 CARSHALTON ATHLETIC 4
A New Year and a new influx of players at the KT Stadium but unfortunately not the result Croydon Athletic were looking for to kick start their season in 2011 despite a spirited first half display.
The signs looked promising in the early stages with the pairing up front of Shabazz Baidoo and Frankie Sawyer linking up well and looking dangerous for the Rams. As early as the fourth minute a good cross in from Danny Elgar fell to Baidoo and his shot hit the top of the crossbar.
Dorian Smith looked lively in the middle of the park for the Rams and his long range shot in the 14th minute was just wide.
The Croydon pressure paid off in the 19th minute when the Rams took the lead after Elgar's corner was knocked on by Smith to Baidoo to head in the net and put the home side 1-0 up.
Unfortunately, Croydon were unable to increase their lead despite some impressive touches from Sawyer and good link play between the front players.
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| Croydon Athletic's Rhys Coleman marshals his defence |
Rhys Coleman made a solid debut at the heart of the defence and George Landais, on loan from Aldershot Town, also showed some nice touches.
However, the second half was another story, with Carshalton making an instant impact in the 47th minute when Paul Johnson equalised for the away side.
Croydon struggled to repeat their first half form and it was Carshalton who looked the stronger side.
A great strike from 20 yards from Joel Ledgister put the Robins 2-1 ahead in the 53rd minute and in the 60th minute it was former Croydon player Gary Noel who knocked in the third following a rare defensive mistake by the Rams.
In the 73rd minute it was another great strike from Carshalton for the best goal of the game from man of the match Ledgister hitting the ball on the volley from 25 yards to put paid to all Croydon hopes of a comeback.
Adam Peck in the Croydon goal pulled off a good save late on from Ledgister to prevent his hat-trick and Noel had another chance hit the post.
Carshalton went away with the points and Croydon managers Bob Langford and Dave Garland will be looking to pull their new-look team together in the coming week if they have any hope of avoiding relegation this season.
Croydon Athletic: Adam Peck, Jeremy Williams (63 mins Kieran McCann), Helge Orome, Dorian Smith, Tom Hughes, Rhys Coleman, Danny Elgar (68 mins Dan Moody), Colin Hartburn, Frankie Sawyer, Shabazz Baidoo (78 mins Stefan Joseph), George Landis. Subs not used: Kevin Sefaah, Jonathan Beale.
