A very bleak Saturday morning and a home match against Croygas from Carshalton not exactly a local derby. Despite being mid January and the complaints of the Croygas  players the pitch was in good condition . Without Jack Westerman , Leo Lord played upfront with Dylan Bishop moving into midfield. Cranleigh were under pressure from the start.
A great save by Isaac Denton – Miller and 2 clearances off the line by Harry Dancaster  showed how we were struggling to get into the game.  As game went on we started to get a grip . Harry Dancaster brought the ball out from defence beating players with ease, as he approached the Croygas area he layed  a lovely pass at the feet of Sullivan Howick who drove home for 1-0.
However the lead was short lived as 2 minutes later a cross into the box was gathered by Harry before a shove in the back which was missed by the ref left the forward to score 1-1.
Not a great goal to concede but back came Cranleigh . After winning a corner the ball was driven into the area and although narrowly missed by Leo Sullivan was on hand to poke it in 2-1. At half time Cranleigh led 2-1 despite a slow start.
Unfortunately 25 minutes into the second half a cross ball into our area was touched into our goal by Isaac ( Ginger ) Holt. An unlucky touch for Isaac who had no option but to go for the ball with a Croygas player lurking behind him. The settled into a real battle as the pitch started to cut up. A break down our right saw the Croygas winger drive into our area only to be tripped by our right back . PENALTY . This was the 4th penalty we have conceded this season and probably the only one that was right. As the Croygas player stepped up and hit the ball toward the right corner Issac Denton – Miller dived full length to push it wide.
Sadly 3 minutes later a Croygas corner and another push this time on Alistair Hill saw the ball come off his nose into the net. Alastair had played very well all game and the 2 nd own goal of the game was in no way his fault just another missed foul by the ref.
Cranleigh battled hard but couldn’t find the equaliser losing 3-2.
A disappointing result with 2 very poor ref decisions costing us the game . You cant but feel we must be due a slice of luck to go our way.
Scorers
Sullivan Howick – 2
Men of the Match
Dylan Bishop – was asked to cover in midfield and ran himself into the ground
Harry Dancaster – Superb
2018-19