Lordswood progressed into the Second Round of the Macron Cup derailing their hosts with a deserved 2-1 win at The Croydon Arena.

The visitors were much the better side as they dominated possession and chances on goal.

Lordswood took a deserved lead on eleven minutes when Charlie Smith struck a shot from range past the despairing dive of home ‘keeper Francis Ameyaw.

Soon after Grant McIlheron fancied his chances from a similar range but his effort went narrowly over the crossbar but Lordswood weren’t to be denied a deserved second – A cross from the left wing by Samuel Hallett was scuffed in front of goal by Joe Kane. The ball returned to the left touchline and this time Imran Englefield delivered a delightful cross which Kane nodded home from close range.

On the brink of half time The Trams were given a lifeline when the ball struck Englefield from close range – The referee harshly awarded the hosts a penalty which Karl Douglin despatched, sending ‘keeper Matt Byott the wrong way.

In the opening exchanges of the second half Hallett had a glorious chance to re-establish the visitors two-goal lead but after good work getting into the box on the left hand side he lacked a degree of composure blazing over from close range.

Croydon came out in the second period with more purpose – The visitors not having such an easy ride and the majority of the possession such as that witnessed in the opening half however Lordswood remained resolute in a half of few opportunities on either goal.

As the game neared full time, the hosts’ gave Lordswood a scare when Leigh Wise found space on the left corner of the penalty area after a good positive run by left full back Lauris Chin but he could only shoot straight at Byott.

Lordswood comfortably kept their hosts at bay during the closing stages and it is they who progress to the second round of the Macron Cup – The draw yet to be made and their future opponents to be decided…

 

Croydon: Ameyaw, Curtis, Chin, Defreitas, Craveiro, Atkins, Murray-Price, Wise, Toney, Douglin, Gee (Badchkam, 54)

Subs not used: Degiorgio, Spencer, Fray

Goals: Douglin 45 (pen)

 

Lordswood: Byott, Maguire (Woodbridge, 47), Englefield, Wells, Lillis, Cook, Kane, Huggens, Smith (Funnell, 90), McIlheron, Hallett (Munn, 74)

Subs not used: Cody, Hooker

Goals: Smith 11, Kane 22

 

Att: 34