Beaconsfield were beaten 1-0 on a frustrating afternoon in London.

RAM of the Match: Alex Peapell

Beaconsfield travelled to Croydon Athletic, as they looked to start a cup run in the Isuzu FA trophy. The game got off to somewhat of a slow start, with little in the way of goal mouth action. It is fair to say Beaconsfield edged the opening 30 minutes, winning battles in midfield, and defending well when needed.

It was 33 minutes before the first real chance, with Beaconsfield coming close to opening the scoring, only to be denied by a good save. Both teams would have been happy going into the break level. Still, a bit of fortune for Croydon, and a momentary lapse in concentration from Beaconsfield gave the hosts the chance they needed to take a 1-0 lead into the break, with Tom Collins slotting home on the stroke of half time.

Beaconsfield upped the pressure in the second half, having most of the ball and pushing hard for an equaliser. Beaconsfield went close on a couple of occasions from corners, with new boy Manu Oke–Williams proving a threat in the air.

Croydon had a chance to extend the lead, after a tangle in the box gave the referee little choice but to point to the spot. Step up Eddie Brearey, who read the run up well and dived down to his right to gather the ball and keep Beaconsfield’s chances alive.

Beaconsfield pushed hard and threw everything at the game, hitting the bar, and again going agonisingly close from corners. Croydon sat in and defended well as the game approached added time. 6 minutes added, with Beaconsfield still looking for an equaliser. It was not to be however, and Beaconsfield headed home on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline. Next up for Beaconsfield it is back to Southern League Central action, as they welcome Stotfold to Holloways Park.

Croydon: 1 Damian Niemczycki, 2 Finley Marjoram (Kamara 90’), 3 Adam Ahmed, 8 Gus Sow, 14 Alpha Diallo, 20 Cian McCarthy, 10 Brandon Pierrick, 9 Richard Pingling, 16 Jude Russell, 12 Michael Agyemang, 18 Tom Collins (Goal 44’).

Subs: 5 Michael Kamara, 6 Darryl Siaw, 11 Shamal Edwards, 15 Mekhi Savage, 19 Kevan Serbinijj.

Beaconsfield: 1 Eddie Brearey, 2 Alex Peapell, 3 Jaydyn Dundas (Jarzabek 80’), 4 Matty Harriott, 5 Ben Tricker, 6 Germaine Dua, 7 Joe Lawal, 8 Akiel Raffie (Noguera – Leon 80’), 9 Manu Oke – Williams, 10 Josh Marcon, 11 Antonio Dembele (Akhsiashvili 68’)

Subs: 13 Cairo Richards, 12 Iker Noguera – Leon, 14 Avtandili Akhsiashvili, 15 Kingston White – Glean, 16 Maks Jarzabek. Beaconsfield MOTM: Alex Peapell Match report by Arran White