“Not Our Best, But the Points Matter”
Following Croydon Athletic’s 2–1 home win against Ashford United, Rams boss Keith Millen gave a grounded and honest assessment of the performance – admitting it wasn’t the side’s sharpest display but praising the players’ character, work rate, and hunger to secure the three points.
“Not Our Best Performance – But the Desire Was Clear”
Speaking after the final whistle, Millen didn’t shy away from the fact that the display fell short of recent performances.
“I wouldn’t say it was our best performance,” he admitted. “Of the three games I’ve managed, that’s probably the worst showing overall. But I think that comes down to expectations. These lads want to do well – and sometimes that creates tension. They just needed to relax a bit more, like they did in the first two games.”
Despite the dip in performance, Croydon showed resilience and determination, holding off a late Ashford push and maintaining their growing momentum under the new regime.
Facing His Former Club: “Just Another Game”
With Millen having previously managed Ashford United, there was added interest in the fixture. But the Rams boss made it clear that sentiment had no impact on his mindset.
“It was nothing more than a normal game for me,” he said firmly. “When you’re a manager, you can’t let emotions cloud judgement. Football’s full of decisions and changes – it’s part of the game. Today wasn’t personal.”
New Signings Settling In
With several new additions in the squad, Millen took the opportunity to comment on how the recent signings are adapting.
“They’re doing well. It’s going to take time, but from day one I’ve said this is about building for next season. These lads are fighting for a place, and that’s exactly what I want to see. Every session we do on the 3G, they look better and better. We can’t always play the way we want on matchday surfaces, but in training – they’re different class.”
Looking Ahead: A Tough Trip to Herne Bay
Croydon now prepare for a tough away fixture against Herne Bay, a side battling to escape the lower reaches of the Isthmian League South East Division.
“Herne Bay away will be a tough one—they’re fighting for their lives. But so is everyone now. Every game until the end of the season is a challenge,” Millen explained. “The boys just need to stay focused, keep working, and the results will come. Six points from three games so far—I can’t ask for much more.
Match Summary:
- Result: Croydon Athletic 2–1 Ashford United
- Competition: Isthmian League – South East Division
- Venue: Mayfield Stadium
- Attendance: N/A
- Manager: Keith Millen
Key Takeaways:
- Croydon have now picked up six points in three games under Millen
- The team is showing signs of resilience and tactical discipline
- New signings are adapting well and showing long-term promise
- Herne Bay up next in a high-stakes encounter
