Trams derail Town

Combined Counties League Premier Division

Croydon 4

Camberley Town 1

A BRACE from Sean Rivers, and a goal each from Leon McDowell and Jason Thompson saw the Trams secure a surprise win against high-flying Camberley Town on Saturday.

Croydon took the lead in the 17th minute when Thompson sprayed the ball towards Jose Lino Goncalves who cut back a cross from the edge of the box to McDowell. The striker's finish from 15 yards out was clinical.

An accurate throw by Jamie Marriott down the right touchline sent McDowell racing away behind the Camberley defence, but his angle was too narrow.

If Croydon had gone in at the break three or more up it wouldn't have been a travesty but with the wind playing no part in the match for once, things were set fair for the second half.

In the 58th minute, Croydon made it 2-0. A lovely ball down the line from Dammy Bada picked out Goncalves, this time he beat his marker, and aimed powerfully for the far corner. Norman couldn't hold the ball and the predatory Rivers tapped in.

Croydon's third came in the 72nd minute when Thompson struck a great free-kick home.

It should have been plain sailing from then on in but Camberley came back into the game, Francis Ameyaw being called into action several of times.

And Town soon had a goal of their own; Gary-Lee Pierce putting the ball in the net.

Getting their concentration back, Croydon were playing the clock down when they notched a fourth. Bada was fouled on the left goalline, Goncalves took the free-kick and while Tom Pratt saw his header saved by Norman, he couldn't hold on to the ball and Rivers was on hand to stab it over the line.

Croydon travel to high-flying Egham Town on Saturday.

Croydon: Ameyaw, Davenport, Bada, Marriott, Thompson, M Cecil (J Cecil 80), Pinnock, McDowell (Pratt 76), Rivers, De Almeida (Doherty 70), Goncalves. Unused subs: Smith, Hunt.