Report by Adam Donlevy

Martyn Box scored a late penalty as the Hillians beat AFC Croydon Athletic in a tough and scrappy game on Tuesday evening.

The visitors had a strong first half as they were set up very compactly and created some real promising opportunities. Shay Brennan had an opportunity to open the scoring in the 11th minute when he tried to curl his shot into the far corner, but Hill goalkeeper Slav Huk was equal to it. Ghassimu Sow also had a lively start, having a penalty claim denied just minutes before scoring a goal that was disallowed for offside.

Brennan had another chance to score when a pinpoint long ball from Michael Kamara found him one-on-one with Huk, but the striker’s touch was collected by the Hill goalkeeper. Kadell Daniel had a couple of opportunities to put the visitors in front, but mishit his shots on both occasions.

The Hillians were restricted to a few Chris Whelpdale half chances throughout the entire first half, one being a wayward header and the other an ambitious shot from long range. The most promising chance came just before half time, where Whelpdale had his shot blocked and deflected just over the bar.

Managers Gary Mansell and Jay Lovett made a tactical tweak at half time, opting for a three at the back formation which allowed us to grow into the game and gain some confidence. The chances started falling but nobody could find the breakthrough just yet. Slav Huk was called into action in the 62nd minute however, making a superb stop to deny Ibby Akanbi.

In the 73rd minute, Bobby Price fired a shot over the bar from close range after the ball fell to him from a cross after a corner. Just seven minutes later, Stefan Vukoje missed a huge chance, blasting a wide-open shot from around the penalty spot over the bar. It felt like one of those nights where nothing was going to go in, but that suddenly changed in the 84th minute.

A heavy cross to the back post was kept alive by Martyn Box as he cut it across the six-yard box to Brannon O’Neill, who was taken out from behind to win the Hillians a penalty. Box converted the penalty, emphatically placing it into the top left corner to secure a hard fought three points against a well drilled Croydon side.

Slav Huk was named as the Brickworks Player of the Match voted by sponsors Capture Cult Media having made a few vital saves to keep the score level before we found the winning goal late on.

Hill: Slav Huk, Hamish Morrison Reggie Ward, Ryan Worrall (Brannon O’Neill 68), Nathan Cooper, Marcus Allen, Stefan Vukoje (Joe Overy 82), Kieran Rowe, Chris Whelpdale (Harry Lawson 69), Ben Pope (Bobby Price 46), Martyn Box. Subs not used: Alex Malins.

Brickworks Player of the Match: Slav Huk – presented below by match sponsors Capture Cult Media