Match preview by Paul Jennings.

Town look for return to winning ways at Croydon ahead of local derby

The Blues make their inaugural journey to Mayfield Road on Saturday to take on Croydon Athletic for the first time in the Surrey clubs short history.

The trip around the M25 heralds the start of an important Bank Holiday period for Town as the game is followed 48 hours later with the much anticipated local derby against Canvey Island at New Lodge.

Town boss Craig Edwards may look to shuffle his squad for the game at Croydon following Monday evening’s defeat at Kingstonian.  

‘We played well at Kingstonian, looked really dangerous going forward and provided them with a genuine goal threat’ said Edwards.

‘I was disappointed with the way we defended in our final third though. It’s an area where we need to tighten up and we’ll be working hard in training to correct this’

Croydon’s meteoric rise through the non league pyramid continued last season when they won Division One South after successfully chasing down Folkestone Invicta in the race for the title.

They got off to a flying start to life in the Ryman Premier last Saturday when they defeated their rivals to last season’s title race Folkestone, 2-0. Their scheduled game at home to Margate on Wednesday evening was a victim of the torrential rain that swept the South East throughout the day.

‘I always enjoy my trips to Croydon. It’s a nice tight ground and we usually get a difficult game’ said The Blues boss.

‘They’ve got some good players and obviously did really well last season. But, we’ll go there and attack them and try to win the game’

Edwards has a full squad available for the trip to Croydon as defender Greg Oates returns after missing Monday evening’s game with a stomach bug.

Kick off is at 15.00

Admission is £8 for adults and £4 for concessions.

Did you know……

•    Croydon were only formed in 1986

•    The club was formed after a chance meeting of the Norwood and Wandsworth managers who amalgamated their clubs


Away day info
Croydon Athletic Football Club
Mayfield Road
Thornton Heath
Surrey
CR7 6DN

By Car
Exit the M25 at unction 6 and then take the A22 to Purley Cross and then join the A23 London Road. Then take the A23 Thornton Road and then Left into Silverleigh Road.

By Train
There is a frequent service to Thornton Heath or Norbury station. The best website to check for train times is National Rail.