AFC Croydon Athletic have found their form again and this has set up an exciting clash against AFC Uckfield Town in the second Round of the FA Vase on  November 3.  

The two sides were drawn in the Emirates FA Cup earlier in the season so it is an opportunity to avenge defeat.

After an almost faultless August that saw the team at the top of their league table they have had an indifferent September and October but the return to form has come just in time to kick start their season again, writes Paul Smith.   A victory over top of the table Beckenham Town on  October 9, by 3-0 and an FA Vase victory over Fareham Town on October 13, by the same score has put the bounce back in the squad and in manager Kevin Rayner.

He said: “It has been a frustrating period as several opportunities have been missed because of below par performances.   It was hard to put your finger on precisely what the problem was.   The level of performance in the games against Beckenham and Fareham have shown exactly what this team can achieve and we must ensure we maintain that level of effort.”   

The Buildbase FA Vase is an important competition for teams at the level at which AFC Croydon Athletic play which is Step 5 of the FA pyramid.   The competition is for non-league teams at Step 5 and below and culminates with a final next May at Wembley Stadium.   There is still a long way to go and the Rams will have to win another six games to play under the famous Arch.

In the league games, although they have slipped into mid-table, a couple of wins can keep them in the title race.   The return of last season’s top goalscorer, Luis Medina, is going to boost the front line with him bagging 20 goals last season and opening his tally by scoring in the game at Beckenham Town.

Elsewhere in the Club this month has seen an excellent victory for the Under 12 Falcons who beat Selsdon Juniors, from a higher division, in the first round of the Surrey FA Under 12 County Cup.   There was heartache for the Under 12 Hawks, however, who held Chipstead to a goalless draw in the same competition only to go out on penalty kicks.   It was the same fate as the Under 18s who also lost to Chipstead in the Surrey FA Midweek Floodlit Cup on penalties after a 2-2 draw.   

All fixtures can be seen through the club’s website and spectators are welcome.   The Club are also looking for volunteers for a variety of roles contact the club at info@afccroydonathletic.co.uk