Bay failed to capitalise on Croydon Athletic’s goalkeeper being dismissed just before the end of the first half and drew for the third time in the last four games.

It looked like a game they would be capable of winning when the visitors were reduced to ten men after the referee sent off Amadou Tangara after he reacted badly to Kane Rowland’s challenge, which ended with the ball in the back of the net but was disallowed for a foul by Rowland. With the score at 1-1, Croydon were forced to reshuffle their line with no goalkeeper on the bench took off their goalscorer Daniel Thomson and brought on Michael Kamara to go in goal.

Bay took a 2-1 lead after 50 minutes following a flowing build-up involving Ethan Smith, Scott Heard and Josh Reid. Reid’s cross was only partially cleared to Heard. He shot hard and low, and a clever flick by Salako deflected the ball past the stand-in keeper. Things looked positive for Bay at this stage, but Croydon showed resilience to dampen Bay’s hopes.

Bay had started the first half in fine form, and Rowland was in most of the action. As early as the 2nd minute, he cleverly back-heeled into Heard’s path and Tangura had to be alert to come off his line and collect.

In the 8th minute, Reid and Heard combined to create a chance for Rowland to turn and fire a right-footed shot beyond Tangara but it was slightly too high and crashed into the crossbar. Undeterred, Jordy Ndozid was first to the rebound and after passing to Rowland this time he found the net for the 8th time this season.

Croydon have a very threatening attacking side, and they soon had Bay on the back foot as they tried to cancel out Bay’s opening goal. Harley Earle saved a first-time effort by Nathan Mavila, low to his right post, and a foul by Nzodid gave Croydon a free-kick opportunity that Kadell Daniel shot over the bar.

Some strong Bay challenges by the dominant trio of Heard, Ethan Smith and Ndozid set up opportunities for Bay to put some flowing moves together down Croydon’s left flank. Theo Osinfolarin and Reid saw a lot of the ball, and although chances were created, the shots were either straight at Tangara or the crosses were out of reach.

When Nzodid was forced off from an injury, Croydon had a series of corners well-defended by Bay, and then they drew level on in the 25th minute. Daniel shot for Croydon from the edge of the area and despite a deflection, Earle dived to his right to save. He couldn’t hold the shot, and Thompson followed up to score from close range.

Bay had a let-off when Daniel slipped after he had avoided Smith’s challenge, having beaten Bay’s appeals for offside. From the corner, Luke Dreyer’s header hit the crossbar.
After a lengthy delay when the referee sent off Croydon’s keeper Tangara for retaliating to an innocuous challenge, the sides left for half-time all-square at 1-1.

Bay regained the lead through Salako five minutes into the second half and thought they had a third goal when Kane Haysman headed home a cross, but Rowland was adjudged to have pushed a defender off the ball as the cross came in.

Bay made a tactical change to replace Reid with central midfielder Alfie Hill, and out of nowhere, Croydon drew level for the second time. A badly mistaken back pass to Earle was pounced on by the un-noticed Ibby Akanb, who calmly slotted home past the unfortunate Bay keeper.

Frustrations began to show – Salako was booked for claiming what everyone thought was a corner. Rowland was booked for touching the goalkeeper, and Monty Saunders came on for him shortly after.

There was very little work for the substitute Croydon goalkeeper to do, apart from one long-range shot that he had no trouble getting his body behind.

In the 5 minutes added on, Bay had a rare opportunity and came so close to sneaking a
winner. Haysman met Salako’s cross, but his shot struck the woodwork. It fell to Saunders at the far post, but he couldn’t get a clean enough touch, and it finished in the side netting.

So, a frustrating afternoon. Only one win in six games, yet four draws have kept our heads above water. We now have two away fixtures and need to end the poor run of results away from the Crest Stadium.

Next Fixtures:
Tuesday 11th March 19:45, away at Erith Town (Isthmian South East)
Saturday 15th March 15:00, away at East Grinstead Town (Isthmian South East)