Return To Imperial Fields - Tooting And Mitcham United vs. Cray Wanderers

The main stand at Imperial Fields.

For a short while soon after I moved to London I followed Tooting And Mitcham home and away. On Good Friday I went back to Imperial Fields for the first time in a couple of seasons for their home game against Cray Wanderers. Tooting are going through a transitional period following the departure of Billy Smith and new manager Mark Beard is the process of building his squad. Cray had a good run in the FA Cup and still had a chance of reaching the play offs.

First half action looking towards covered standing behind the goal.

Cray are on top from the first whistle and they manage to get to the byline with remarkable ease but fail to test the keeper. They have a few close penalty calls but the referee didn't give either. The visitors manage to create a one on one chance but the keeper made a good save. The break through comes when a Cray player is allowed to flick on the ball at the near post and the ball flies in to the net. They almost double their lead with a carve and copy scenario. Tooting finally create a chance when the player headed over the bar when he had  a free header from a corner.

The Tooting chance at the end of the first half.

The second half continues in the same vain with Tooting having very little of the ball. The away team score a fantastic second goal when the striker cuts in from the left hand side and smashes the ball past the keeper. Tooting miss another free header following a rare attack on the Cray goal. Cray then camp themselves in the Tooting half for the remainder of the game. The home keeper makes a few saves but Cray get a third close to full time. The Tooting keeper saves a penalty but he can do little about the follow up. A disappointing afternoon for the Terrors.

Cray on the attack.

There are several ways of getting to the ground. You can either get the Croydon Tram to Mitcham which is a five minute walk from the ground. Alternatively you can get the tube to Morden and get a bus to just outside the ground. There are lots of pubs in Mitcham town centre and there is the Burn Bullock, which is located on the cricket green. The clubhouse is new and the last time I was in there they had a couple of ales. The clubhouse also has sky sports.

Second half action.