MATCH REPORT

PLAYER PROFILE

POST-MATCH INTERVIEW with Keith Millen – Vs. Ashford United

Keith Millen Reflects on a Hard-Fought 1-1 Draw for Croydon Athletic

Croydon Athletic’s manager Keith Millen shared his thoughts after a hard-fought 1-1 draw in their latest match, reflecting on both the positives and areas for improvement.

Millen expressed his satisfaction with the team’s overall performance, noting the significant improvement in their play as the match progressed. “It was nice to get on a decent pitch,” he said, highlighting the importance of the conditions in which the team played. Although the side was still recovering from the previous defeat, Millen was pleased with their solid start and how they grew into the game, creating some good chances.

However, the manager was quick to acknowledge that missed opportunities led to a tense finish. “When you don’t take those chances, you’re almost waiting for something to happen,” he explained. That moment came when a wide free kick wasn’t defended well enough, and despite failing to win the first and second balls, Croydon were punished with a goal.

Despite the setback, Millen was pleased with the team’s response. “The heads didn’t drop,” he said, praising the resilience of his players as they dominated possession and continued to push for a goal. The introduction of substitutes had a noticeable impact, with one of them scoring a fantastic equalizer. “We were hoping for one more chance to win the game, which we deserved,” Millen reflected.

While satisfied with the result, Millen is aware that there’s still work to be done. “There’s plenty to work on, but I can’t fault the players,” he said, highlighting the positives that the team can build on. As the team looks ahead to their next match at home, Millen remains optimistic but mindful of the challenges ahead, particularly with a busy schedule of three games in a week. “We just have to look after them and see how they are on Thursday in training,” he added, looking forward to the team’s next challenge.