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Tuesday 5th July 2022

Kick Off 19.30 On Time !

F.C. Elmstead 1 A.F.C. Croydon Athletic 1, attendance 31

86’ 0-1 (pen)

90’ 1-1

@ Bishop Justus Church of England School, 3G Pitch

Magpie Hall Lane

Bromley

BR2 8HZ

No Admission or Programme.

Elmstead are in Southern Counties East League Division 1 (Step 6), whilst A.F.C. Croydon Athletic are in Combined Counties League Premier Division South (Step 5), with the game played at the neutral venue of Bishop Justus School. There are actually two 3G pitches here, this one being to the right of the car park/entrance (Astro Pitch 2 according to the sign at the cage entrance) and the one with a spectator rail along all bar 20 yards of one side, which included a small section of cover. The second cage, to the rear of the buildings, has narrower pitch markings.

It was a game of few chances. Elmstead did hit the angle of post/crossbar following a corner on the left, but that was as close as we came to breaking the deadlock in the first half. The second half was just as tight, with both defences in command. Croydon substituted their ’keeper on 64 minutes, which immediately led to some real drama. From the restart, a ball was played through and the new ’keeper brought down the striker to concede a penalty with his first ’touch’, before then saving the kick with his second!

It looked nailed on to finish goalless, but Croydon went ahead from a penalty of their own with just four minutes left, before Elmstead smashed in an equaliser from close range, with what turned out to be the last kick of the match, as the Referee blew the full time whistle as the ball hit the back of the net.