MATCH REPORTS

​Saturday 5 th Aug 2023
SCEFL DIVISION 1
Larks 6 (Day 9, 15, 30, Bray 46, Mbenza 77, Brown 89) v Croydon 3 (Somo 21, Springer 71, 90)
Att: - 105
The first game of the new season and hopes were high for the season with a new look team for managers Lysee
and Micky. Visitors Croydon are always tough opponents and had improved their squad so todays match would
be tough with both teams vying for their first 3 points.
After a wet start to the day the pitch was in perfect playing condition and the Larks took no time getting into
the groove with some great football in an end to end opening. The Larks opened the scoring in the 9 th minute
when a fine move down the left wing saw a great cross by Tyle Ibe met at full stretch by Matty Day on the
volley and the ball scrambled over the line under George Kamurasi in the Croydon goal. The Larks were having
good possession whilst Croydon continued to create danger on the break, but it only took the Larks 6 further
minutes to extend the lead. A fine ball by Joe Bingham over the top of the Croydon defence found Matty Day
through on goal and he cooly slotted the ball around the on rushing Croydon keeper.
6 minutes later and it was Croydon’s turn to get on the scoresheet, neat play down the right wing saw Andy
Somo put though on goal, he rounded Jordan Carey in the Larks goal and shot home with a crisp finish 2-1.
Probably the best goal of the game was the Larks third but there were other contenders. On 30 minutes a great
ball down the left wing by Dan Lewis saw Tyler Ibe just get to the ball and a first time cross was met first time
by the head of Matty Day to complete his first half hat trick. Both teams created further chances but Jordan
Carey in the Larks goal kept the Larks lead intact.
HT 3-1
The next goal would be critical and the Larks got it within one minute of the start when a corner was met firmly
by the head of Jack Bray to make it 4-1. The match never was over and Croydon didn’t drop the pace for one
second and the game never felt over. The Larks defence was being tried hard and young Harry Rowland played
well above his years alongside Jack Bray, Ross Ibbertson and Dan Lewis. Croydon finally got themselves closer in
the 71 st Minute when a free kick in the edge of the box was whipped off the underside of the bar by Jahquan
Springer 4-2. Croydon pressed again and the Larks midfield of Joe Bingham, Morgan Williamson and Ryan
Palmer were holding firm and playing neat football continuously for the Larks to keep control of the match.
The next goal was secured by the Larks in the 77 th minute and was scored by sub Bryan Mbenza who had
literally been on for 2 minutes. A Larks breakaway saw Matty Day down the left wing, he crossed for Mbenza
who dinked the ball over the outstretched George Kamurasi 5-2. The Larks finally secured the win in the 89 th
minute and another contender for the goal of the game when the ever threatful Tyler Richardson Brown found
some space out on the right and hit a screamer from 20 yards which gave the keeper no chance at the near
post 6-2.
Fair play to Croydon who never stopped all game and grabbed the final goal of the game in the 90 th minute,
with Jahquan Springer getting his second of the game with a neat finish after rounding the Larks keeper.
FT: 6-3
Larks Line up; Carey (gk), Ibbertson, Bray, Rowland, Lewis, Bingham, Williamson (Philips), Palmer (Mbenza),
Brown, Ibe, Day
Subs not used: Nunn, Falconer, Woodcock