It was another crucial match day at Polonia Reserve on Saturday when Croydon welcomed the visit of the high flying Adelaide Blue Eagles who sat in second position prior to kick-off.

The Kings knew a victory however would see them leap-frog Blue Eagles (at least) and possibly more, depending on other results.

The match started off with Blue Eagles looking sharper and a series of corners and attacking half free kicks saw them test Croydon early.

It took a finger-tip save from John Hall which clipped the crossbar as well to keep Blue Eagles at bay in the early exchanges.

Having weathered the storm, Croydon started to slowly get into the groove and began to assert themselves on the game and several corners and good chances were created at the other end, the closest being a close range clip from Munro, which somehow managed to go over the bar whilst everyone held their breath.

In a great end-to-end spectacle, you could see it would be a tight affair and that one goal could well seal a big advantage.

On 25 minutes, the game was opened up even more, when a great cross found the head of Haruoka who’s perfect timed run ensured the ball found the net with Blue Eagles defence wondering what just happened and the keeper out of position looking stunned. 1-0 up!

The end-to-end football continued until the half time whistle and you could sense Croydon were ready to step up a gear in the second half.

Caraccia, Heinike and Martinello were kept busy in the midfield and Trimboli, Munro and Hauoka ensured the Blue Eagles defence had to work just as hard with their constant attacking threats. Mid way through the second half came a turning point when a scuffle following a Sunasky tackle on Evan Kounavelis saw the Blue Eagles attacker retaliate with a head-butt and whilst Sunasky got a yellow for the tackle, the referee, after consulting with her assistant had no option other to give Evan a straight red and the Blue Eagles quest for an equaliser just got tougher.

Coach Ange Costanzo again used his bench to effect and Panagaris came on for Sunasky, Skeffington on for the hard running Trimboli and Mercurio on for young Heinike and the fresh legs ensured Croydon would not let go and further chances were created, but again near –misses were the order of the day.

Despite being down to ten men, Blue Eagles still huffed and puffed and almost broke through but again it was John Hall who’s outstretched arm parried what looked a certain goal around for a corner which the Kings defence ultimately withstood. The final whistle came, and it emerged that Croydon would jump into fifth spot and a finals position almost secure and one that can be secured should they get maximum points next week.

Again it was pleasing to see every Croydon contributor play well, with captain Luke Klimek showing the way as we eye a best possible ladder finish with only 3 rounds to go.

Earlier in the day, the Under 18’s smacked Blue Eagles 5-1 to boost their finals chances, whilst the Reserves had a much tougher day in the top versus bottom clash, but still showed enough class to run out 2-0 victors to maintain top spot and make it another clean sweep for Croydon.

Attention this week turns to our next opponent, another strong finals candidate in Adelaide Comets and they will be keen to avenge their last defeat to Croydon, whilst we look to march forward in what could well be our second last ever game at Polonia Reserve. Even Comets reserves will remember their heart-breaking cup final defeat, so this is one fixture you’d do well to come early and watch all 3 games as each has it’s great importance as the minor round draws to a close.

So let’s see those red and white scarves and  the boisterous support continue because these are our Croydon Kings, your Croydon Kings and more silverware is there for the taking but we all need to band together to make this happen. Every one percent counts!

Hej Polonia!

Croydon have asserted themselves as genuine finals contenders after a solid 3-1 win over West Adelaide at the VALO stadium on Saturday evening.

In what could be described as a danger game for the Kings, the desperate West Adelaide were also playing on a knife edge given their realistic relegation candidacy.

The Kings started with the strong wind at their backs and took control of the game early, however the difficult conditions made it harder than usual to penetrate with any fluency. Westies looked to go long whenever they could but Brazzale and Stokes at centre back dealt with most efforts very well with Sunasky & Klimek in the full-back positions dominant.

Eventually after many forays into the penalty area, it was Patty Caraccia who broke through tucking away Croydon’s opener after 31 minutes after some bustling and fancy footwork between Trimboli & Munro caused mayhem for the West defence. Another effort by Patty hit the woodwork but as half time approached, a West free-kick/cross actually was bundled in however the flag was up for offside, so the Kings held on to lead 1-0 at half time.

The second half became a battle of the conditions as much as anything, and whilst Croydon coped much better, it was West Adelaide who got the equaliser through Lesi after 70 minutes and it was game on.

Alas for West, the Croydon lead was restored within just two minutes when Caraccia again latched on to a loose ball to smack home and 2-1 to Croydon.

Moments later another great Trimboli run after a great through ball saw his shot smack into the crossbar illustrating Croydon’s willingness to stay on the attack.

Westies heads started to drop and after both teams made subs to grind out a result, it was the combination of Croydon subs James Skeffington and Peter Mercurio that eventually had the latter finding the net on 84 minutes and thus putting the game to bed.

It was another game where it was hard to sort best players as all 14 that took the park made valuable contributions.

The win moves Croydon into sixth and with a home match with Blue Eagles up next (second on ladder and only 3 points ahead) we can jump even higher should we continue our great form and snag another win. We have now virtually no injuries (touch wood), and to start with a bench containing Skeffington, Mercurio & Panagaris (frequent first eleven players) the squad outlook looks ideal as the finals get nearer.

Earlier on in the day back at Polonia Reserve, Stevie Pepper’s U/18’s made up quickly for their previous  week’s loss with a thumping 6-0 win over Westies, keeping them well and truly in finals contention. Another win this week could see them rise higher, much like the seniors position – we shall wait and see!

The Reserves continued their amazing form with Vizza’s boys getting up 3-1 to maintain their top ladder position. Ichiguchi, Papapetros and Scardigno scored for Croydon in a game where they always looked in control. Best part was the notable great form across the park form all contributors, proving the depth at Croydon has hardly been better.

There are only 4 games left in the minor round, the next 3 at home and all against teams above us, proving the perfect tonic in the lead up to finals, so let’s not leave it till later to get out in full force – let’s see if we can get some big numbers out to support our Polonia boys as we slowly edge towards our last ever game at Polonia Reserve (10^th August) after 69 years.

All 3 teams deserve your support and you won’t be disappointed with the attitude, the quality and heart shown as we become the danger team that all others will want to avoid come finals. Hej Polonia!

Croydon Kings kept their finals hopes well and truly alive after prevailing in a must win game against the in-form Adelaide United youth team on Saturday at Polonia Reserve.

Starting the day on the same points, both teams understood the importance of the game and it was Croydon who took the early initiative with the returning from suspension Antony Trimboli creating havoc on the right wing early on.

With the game only a few minutes old, a right wing cross found the unmarked Nathan Munro on the far post who couldn’t have placed his header better and gave the keeper no chance with his placement. 1-0 to Croydon!

The game took on a midfield battle soon after and Martinello, Heinke & Caraccia were particularly busy, whilst the defence looked well focussed.

Alas it took an ex-Croydon King (again) to stand up for United and this time it was Alhassan Toure who broke free and spanked a low drive in off the post for their equaliser.

1-1   as it remained at half time.

The second half saw Kings take control of possession and attack after attack were initially well nullified by the United defence although after some goal-line clearances and similar amazing near-misses, you sensed it might be another one of those days where we couldn’t quite nick the winner and have to accept yet another draw.

Some changes were made and as many started to look at their watches, another goal scramble following a corner where players were jumping up to win header just on the edge of the penalty area after some “volleyball type spikes” and players half-calling for fouls, the ball fell near Munro and this time his outstretched leg clipped the ball perfectly to land in the net and it was 2-1 Croydon.

The Kings deserved this lead and despite United changing to 3 at the back in an effort to risk all or nothing to find a later equaliser, the Kings kept their composure and almost could have snagged a couple more late ones themselves but were more than happy to get the final whistle at 2-1, thus keeping our quest for finals football on track, and any minor worries of potential relegation quashed once and for all.

Earlier in the day our U/18’s were no match for the top of the table NTC team going down 5-1, although the score probably didn’t reflect the balance of the game. They are still in the hunt for finals and have some promising and winnable fixtures coming up so let’s back Steve Pepper’s lads to get the job done!

The reserves continued their amazing form with a 3-0 win over AU reserves, and now look the goods even to take out the minor premiership. That said, before kick-off, it was noticeable that there were only 4 points separating top from seventh, so anything could still happen in this league, so interesting times ahead.

This week we are away to West Adelaide. This away fixture will be at Valo (Angle Park) and the new kick-off time of 5.30pm is to be noted. That said, the U/18’s and reserves will play their games at Polonia Reserve at 11am and 1pm respectively, so let’s pop down to Polonia first to cheer on our youngsters before heading off for the short trip to Angle Park where our seniors take on our traditional rivals who, despite having a horror patch of form at the moment, will be desperate for points in their quest to stay in the premier league, so we don’t want to let this one slip and need total focus and of course the usual boisterous Polonia support!

See you there!

Photo credit: Joe Janko

A trip away to MetroStars is never an easy one so the Kings faced a mighty task on Saturday at the revamped TK Shutter Reserve.

Trimboli was out suspended and Klimek returned to right back, whilst Sunasky started at left back whilst the long awaited return of James Skeffington from injury was a pleasing sight albeit warming the pine to start off with.

Alas the start of the game did not go to plan and Metro were one up within a few minutes after an unmarked Solagna’s near post header from a corner had everyone looking around at each other wondering what just happened. Put simply, concentration was lost for that key moment.

Nevertheless, the response from the Kings was almost instant. A pearler of a through ball by Klimek found the fast paced Zade Heineke who expertly rounded the keeper and slotted home coolly to square the ledger.

The game was only 13 or so minutes old and another foray into the penalty area saw the Kings awarded a penalty after Nathan Munro was upended following a Haro cross and Adam Martinello taking care of business putting the spot kick away and suddenly it was 2-1 Croydon.

Rather than try and retain the lead, the Kings continued to press and looked dangerous all over the pitch with Carracia and Mercurio creating havoc for the Metro defence. Centre forward Nathan Munro was also running his heart out and proved to be handful for Metro whenever he was within range.

Half time came with the Kings looking the goods so the question now was could we replicate the fine football again in the second half.

All doubts were put to rest, so we thought after another penalty award after another clumsy challenge in the penalty area so again stepped up Martinello, although this time the Metro keeper was equal to the task and pulled off a great save to keep Metro in it.

However instead of dropping their shoulders, the Kings continued to press and unbelievably were awarded a third penalty after a handball in the box, and this time captain Luke Klimek stood up and put it away and the 3-1 scoreline was now looking more of a reflection of the Kings dominance.

Things got worse for Metro when they went a man down following a straight red card for a high-footed challenge on Mercurio, and Croydon now looked odds on to get the win.

Both coaches made changes, and eventually Skeffington played his part and despite getting an early yellow card for a late challenge (probably a result from a bit of rustiness) he was on hand to slot home a tap in goal following a Haro cross after a blazing run and cross from the left wing.

The final whistle blew to Metro’s relief, whilst Croydon celebrated a huge 4-1 win, one that you could sense was coming after a few games where luck was completely missing despite playing some good football.

The entire team played well including keeper, defence, midfield and attack but stand out performances were noted by Carracia, Heneike & Haro who shone in the win.

Earlier in the day, the U/18’s had a similar and amazing 4-1 victory against the higher positioned Metro whilst the Reserves continued their good form to come from 2-1 down to record a vital 3-2 win, in the 2^nd v 4^th clash. That win ensured Croydon would leapfrog the Metrostars and now be a serious threat to win the double this season.

We are back at home this week to tackle to in-form Adelaide United youth who cannot be taken lightly after consecutive 3-0 wins against West Adelaide & Para Hills respectively. We are on equal points, so if we are to push for the top six, we must win this one, so let’s remember to get out and support the Kings as our last few home games of ever more at Polonia Reserve count down.