1 post tagged “rams”

Report by Brian Davis
Whyteleafe ended their season with a lacklustre defeat that could have been worse but for some poor finishing and a tremendous penalty save.  This looked a game too far for 'Leafe who, having battled their way out of the relegation zone, found themselves with a few end of season games with no pressure.
After the early exchanges in which neither side gained the ascendancy, the first good chance fell to 'Leafe in the 20th minute when Leon McDowell forced a fine save from Danny Firkins, following his well directed header from a Callum McLean free kick.
Eight minutes later Ryan Rummery went close, playing a one-two with Daniel Platel before firing just wide of the far post. Jason Mabbs had Croydon’s first decent attempt on the half hour, forcing Danny Coote to catch the ball at full stretch. Issa Thomas put Moses Ademola clear in the 43rd minute. He rounded Coote, but with an open goal in front of him, somehow missed the target.
Ademola then set up Adam Wadmore in the 56th minute, but he shot way over from close range. Mabbs then headed the ball towards goal in the 58th minute but Luke Basford was back to head away from goal. The referee however awarded a penalty against Coote for a foul after the ball had been headed by Mabbs. Wadmore took the penalty which was well struck, low towards the corner of goal, but Coote made an excellent save, tipping round for a corner.
Coote then saved 'Leafe again in the 66th minute, tipping over from Ryan Adams. Croydon took the lead in the 75th minute with a good strike from substitute Frankie Warren.
Croydon continued to carve out chances and 'Leafe were fortunate that Ademola missed three very easy chances in the closing stages. To make matters harder they had to play the closing minutes with ten men when McDowell limped off having already made all three substitutions.
Whyteleafe came closest to scraping an equaliser in the 88th minute. A Luke Basford free kick was tipped over the bar. The resulting corner found Danny Arkwright in the box, but he only got a faint touch and the ball drifted harmlessly off for a goal kick.
Whyteleafe: Coote, Riley, Basford, Newman, Arkwright, Barrett (Castrechino 56), MacLean (Conroy 58), Smith (Conroy 75), McDowell, Rummery, Platel (Rivers 56).