Combined Counties League Premier Division

Croydon 2

Epsom & Ewell 2

THE Trams lead twice against Epsom & Ewell on Saturday, but a last gasp goal by the visitors saw the points shared.

And Trams manager John Fowler was disappointed now to have got all three points.

"I thought we were worthy of all three points," he said. "It was a bit frustrating to have lead the game twice and not win, but when I think about it, we would have been pleased with a draw against a team like Epsom & Ewell at the start of the season."

Croydon have moved up the Premier Division and now sit comfortably mid-table but Fowler believes his side need to improve their consistency.

"We are a little bit inconsistent at the moment," he explained. "We seem to win a couple but then draw and lose, so we need to improve that.

"I honestly believe we are now a team that is hard to beat though and who ever we are playing in the league we know we will give them a good game."

On Saturday the Trams host high-flying Camberley Town at Croydon Arena, and having beaten them earlier in the season, Fowler is calling for his team to do the double over the west Surrey side.

"We beat them 2-0 earlier in the season but Camberley are a tough side," Fowler said. "It would be nice to do the double over them and the points would give us breathing side because there are a couple of teams below us with a similar amount of points."

Fowler welcomed the return of Dammy Bada from a long term injury and he replaced Oliver Hunt at left-back, Jason Pinnock, unavailable last week replaced Jose Lino Goncalves who is suffering from flu. Leon McDowell also got his first start this term.

Much of Croydon's initial thrust came from Jason Thompson, an early free-kick tested former Tram Adrian Jones who couldn't hold onto the ball, unfortunately it fell awkwardly for Sean Rivers who headed over.

The Trams best effort of the half came through a Thompson assist in open play, sending in Claudio De Almeida who cut inside his marker and fired a shot towards the top corner. Jones was equal to it though, pulling of a fine save.

It was the home side that took the lead in the 52nd minute when McDowell battled well on the left and put in a cross that De Almeida, swivelling, swept into the net.

McDowell could have scored three times himself within the space of a minute, firstly Rivers slid in a cross to the near post where Jones blocked valiantly, then McDowell got on the end of a pass from Thompson, turned and shot only to see Jones make another good save.

But, Epsom & Ewell had chances too, Francis Ameyaw made several timely saves in the period just after Croydon had taken the lead and it was no real surprise when they equalised in the 68th minute. James Cottee crossed from the left touchline, the ball just evaded Ameyaw and that man Mark Jarman was on hand to tap in.

The match looked to be tapering out for a draw when Thompson stepped up to take a free-kick 25 yards out. Thompson needed no second invitation as he rammed the ball into and through the back of the net.

That should have been enough to win the game but with stoppage time looming, a gruesome defensive mix up left Jarman with the opportunity to tap the ball into the net and square the match.

On Saturday the Trams entertain Camberley Town at the Arena.

Croydon: Ameyaw, Davenport, Bada, Marriott, Thompson, Nwanze, Pinnock, Doherty (Pratt 75), Rivers, De Almeida (Hunt 83), McDowell. Unused subs: Smith, Lippett, Cecil.