After last week’s champagne and caviar performance it was back to the bread and water for Surrey United who nevertheless still managed to extend their win streak to four games with a sub-standard performance that saw them beat lowly Croatia 1-0 at the Cloverdale turf on Saturday. Surrey started strongly and after ten minutes had already hit the cross-bar twice with headers from defenders Steve Millar and Tom Elliot. The game developed into a midfield tussle with neither side capable of breaking down the opposing defence. It was no surprise that the game was scoreless at the end of the first half. In the second half Surrey pressed forward but once again were denied by the woodwork for a third time when striker Shawn Blakeway’s measured shot hit the upright and rebounded to safety. At the other end Surrey’s defence led by Millar and Elliot snuffed out any Croatian attacks and with the game seemingly destined for a scoreless tie Surrey struck in the 76th minute to break the deadlock. After Croatia had failed to fully clear a corner, Surrey youngster Harpreet Khakh, revelling in his elevation to the senior squad, gained possession on the right and fired over a low cross which was met by a determined Tom Elliot who volleyed home from close range. The game produced some late excitement when Surrey were reduced to ten men with the dismissal of midfielder Todd Stauber for a late tackle.

Well travelled Croatian forward Matt Mori hammered the resulting free-kick against the post and United keeper Drew Smiley blocked another shot as Croatia tried in vain to salvage a point from the game with a late equalizer. Overall Surrey probably just about deserved the win and the three points enabled them to extend their lead atop the divisional standings.

The division one game between the same two teams took place on Thursday 10th November at Cloverdale Athletic Park Turf with the United youngsters prevailing 3-0 over the top of the table Croatia “B” team. Sixteen year old Scott Macdonald opened the scoring for United in the fifteenth minute when he headed home a bouncing ball from a Ryan Reynolds cross. Ten minutes later United increased their lead when first teamer Clayton Dobbin successfully converted from the penalty spot. Croatia pressed hard but United withstood the pressure and put the game beyond Croatia’s reach when they added a third in the 70th minute when Jamie Spendlove hammered a glorious twenty five yard free-kick past a startled keeper and into the net.

With no other games played this weekend we selected Mens premier defender Tom Elliot as this week’s Player of the Week for his game winning goal which was his second in successive games. Each Weekly Winner will have their name entered into a random draw for the monthly prize of for Dinner for Two.