Normally, you’d get the full play-by-play, every chance, every tackle, every turning point. But honestly, by the time we reached the middle of the second half, despite some truly outstanding football from the Crows, so much was going against us on the pitch that it was difficult to watch, let alone write about.

The general feeling among players and supporters alike was that we at least deserved a draw. The ruled-off goal says it all. But football can be cruel, and none of that matters when one of your own leaves the pitch with what looks like a serious injury, one that may even keep him from returning to the game. We can argue about decisions and missed calls, but when something like that happens, nothing else really matters. Still, here’s the best version of a report I can give.

First Half
The Crows came out strong, full of energy and purpose. For the opening 15 minutes, they dominated play and looked in complete control. The best early chance came in the 8th minute, a long cross was met by a brilliant header from Smith back into the box, but the crowded area made a clean finish impossible.

Things started to get heated around the 18th minute, and while Crowborough stayed composed, it was no surprise to seasoned supporters when Croydon scored against the run of play in the 22nd minute with a well-taken finish.

From there, we had chances to respond. Goldsmith delivered a series of superb crosses that deserved better, but the final touch was missing. Even the resulting corners came to nothing, despite the pressure we built.

Mayhew was exceptional at the back, throwing himself into challenges and blocking dangerous balls, his positioning making life difficult for Croydon.

Just before halftime, Aiye forced a fine save with a powerful strike, and we went into the break disappointed not to be level.

Second Half
The Crows started the second half exactly how they ended the first, on the front foot. Aiye fired just over in the 48th minute, and Smith picked up a yellow after a collision in their box. No one seemed quite sure what for, but Smith’s reaction said it all, he took it on the chin and got on with it.

Despite some questionable decisions, there was real belief we could still take something from the game. Even Croydon looked rattled, their frustration showing in the way they turned on each other.

Then came one of those moments you can’t script, in the 57th minute, the referee went down after getting in the way of play... again. It had been coming all game, and when this time he made contact and collided with Aiye, both went flying.

Moments later, Aiye went down again, this time with an injury. Croydon did the right thing and put the ball out of play, but it was clear he couldn’t continue. Pearson came on to replace him at 61 minutes.

At 65 minutes, another Crowborough effort was well saved, and five minutes later, we thought we’d finally equalised. A brilliant move from Pearson, ended with the ball in the back of the net, only for the linesman to raise his flag. It was an outrageous call; the whole ground saw it onside as did the replay in the match footage. But this is Step 4 football, and sadly (for once) VAR doesn’t exist here.

And then came the real heartbreak. Just three minutes after that disallowed goal, Harvey Killick went down in a collision that left him clutching his shoulder. It looked bad straight away, a suspected dislocation, and with his history of that injury, all thoughts turned to him.

The final 15 minutes were messy and emotional. The lads fought until the end, but the game had long since lost its rhythm. Between dives, shirt-pulling, and baffling decisions, it felt more like a farce than football. Even the crowd began to laugh in disbelief, joking that the match was turning into a comedy show.

By the 80th minute, note-taking was pointless. Mayhew, Reed, and Pring came off for Zabadne, Lambden, and Mayhew, but before any mark could be made, Croydon added a second goal and another yellow to finish it off.

Full-Time: Crowborough AFC 0 – 2 Croydon FC

The result doesn’t reflect the effort. The Crows played with heart, belief, and pride, and they deserved far more than they got.

But when all’s said and done, our thoughts are only with Harvey Killick. On a night where so much went wrong, that’s the one thing that truly matters.