Last Saturday saw only two of our local Ryman League clubs in action.

The interesting derby game between Whyteleafe and Dulwich was called off because of a frozen pitch at Whyteleafe's Church Road Ground.

But Croydon were in action in the Premier Division and recorded their third loss in a week, losing away at Heybridge Swifts.

Croydon Athletic also played and despite a midweek setback away at Witham Town, they bounced back and gained sweet revenge against Dorking, who had beaten them on the first day of the season.

Croydon Athletic were never really in any danger on their home turf and gave Dorking little chance in a comfortable 4-0 victory.

Dorking had no answer to the goal scoring machine of John Fowler, who struck twice, Paul Bains, who scored on his return from injury, and Jamie Evans.

This has been a great season for the club up until now and prospects for the New Year look very good.

Athletic's attacking approach has them top of Division Three heading into Christmas and it's hard to see anyone knocking them off their perch for the remainder of the season.

Meanwhile, Croydon's 2-0 defeat away at Heybridge Swifts ended a dismal week which resulted in three sendings off and three defeats.

At the moment things could not get much worse for Ken Jarvie and his team and with a visit on Boxing Day from high flying Grays Athletic, Croydon are only six points off bottom place.

Saturday's game at Heybridge could have been won had it not been for some great goalkeeping to deny Dominic Barclay and Nick McDonnell.

Frustration crept in when Croydon's goalkeeper Matt Martin was sent off for handling outside the box but Croydon kept battling away and were unlucky to go behind on 67 minutes.

This proved to be decisive and Heybridge secured victory with another goal in the last minute of the game.

December 21, 2001 13:00