South South London Derby - Warlingham vs. Croydon Athletic

Pitch side view of kick off.

Warlingham currently ground share with Ryman League Whyteleafe but are playing most of their pre season games at The Verdayne Sports Ground. As you'll see from the pictures the ground is short of the required standard for the Combined Counties League. I travelled there on a Tuesday night to see them take on near Ryman League neighbours Croydon Athletic who suffered a traumatic season last time. Both sides had won half of their friendlies to date and were looking for a boost before the start of the season.

Warlingham on the attack in the first half.

The game starts at a frantic pace and you'd be pushed to say which team played in the Ryman League. Both sides fashion half chances but the game remains scoreless. Then in the middle of the half a Warlingham player is seriously injured following a fair fifty fifty challenge and there is a lengthy delay while the ambulance arrives and the player is treated. Once the game resumes, Warlingham continue to press and are rewarded when a deflected effort beats the Croydon keeper.

First action with the dugouts in the background.

Croydon come more in to the game at the start of the second half but manage to fall further behind. Following a needless foul on the Warlingham winger the ball is headed home from the resulting free kick. This sparks Croydon in to life and the home keeper makes a couple of very good saves. His best coming from the spot following a penalty for which I have idea why it was given. Warlingham add a third when the striker is played through but unfortunately I'd left for the bus at this point.

Second half action with the changing rooms / tea room in the background.

There is no clubhouse at the ground. If you walk past the ground towards the village green there is the The Horseshoe and The White Lion which were both quite good. I got to the ground by getting the 409 buses from outside Fairfield Hall, a short walk from East Croydon Station.

The player who was taken to hospital (Liam Giles) suffered a dislocated and fractured ankle. The club's and local football fan's responce is detailed on the Fans Focus Forum. A huge congratulations has to go to all involved in the fund raising effort. 

Further first half action.