AFC Greenwich Borough suffered their first league defeat of their SCEFL Division One debut season on Saturday afternoon when they lost 2-1 at home to Croydon at Oakley Road with Pat Ward scoring two late goals for The Trams.
The game got off to a lively start with Croydon pressing, Tom Barton had a shot saved by Borough Keeper Javram Pitterson at his near post, before Edward Dwyer then went close with a free kick for Croydon and Kanan Fitton had a shot saved by Pitterson at point blank range soon after.
Against the run of play it was Greenwich Borough who took the lead though on 23 minutes, when Wilfred Evans crossed from the left and Abel Vendrells Parcerisa met the ball at the far post to crash it into the roof of the net to put Borough in front.
Vendrells Parcerisa then had a free kick saved by Tommy Taylor as Greenwich came to life and Taylor then was on hand to deny Oghosa Williams and Tomi Obilana.
Vernon Nzinga was next to go close after more good work by Vendrells Parcerisa and Williams then put a great chance just wide from close range, before Nzinga had one shot saved by Taylor and then hit the inside of the post only to see the ball bounce out just before the break.
The second half started with Croydon sub Pat Ward having a header saved, before Greenwich Borough wet on to have a strong spell of pressure.
Williams was denied by Taylor and Kai Nokoe fired over as he home side looked to extend their lead, but The Trams held out and got back into the game as things went on.
With twenty minutes to go Croydon grabbed an equaliser when a deep cross from the left by Edward Dwyer was met with a side foot volley by Ward to guide the ball home past Pitterson.
Croydon then had a chance cleared off the line and Cameron MacMillan had a header saved as The Trams pressed, with Barton clipping the ball wide from range soon after.
Greenwich battled back and went on to have a strong spell of pressure heading into the final ten minutes of normal time, Obilana having a shot saved by Taylor, with several other attacks blocked and cleared.
Then just as the clock ticked into injury time Croydon pushed forward, MacMillan put a deep cross in from the left and it was knocked down at the far post for Ward to turn the ball home from close range to put the visitors in front to the delight of the travelling support along the touchline.
In a frantic spell of added on time Borough pressed for an equaliser, but Croydon held out defending resolutely and secured all three points ending Borough’s unbeaten record.
At the end of a thoroughly entertaining game, Greenwich Borough remain second three points behind leaders Rochester Utd, while Croydon now move within two points of the play off places.
Greenwich – Pitterson, Panyi (Udanoh 69), Hollick, Sesay, Elliot, Evans, Vendrells Parcerisa, Nzinga (Smith 87), Obilana, Nokoe (Richardson 93), Williams. Subs Not Used: Komas, Woods.
Croydon – Taylor. Friend (Palmer 90), Rufus, Smith, Clark, Dwyer (Riches 76), Fitton (Ward 23), Dale (Jenkins 60), MacMillan, Barton, White. Subs Not Used: Walters.
HT 1-0 FT 1-2
Goals: GBFC – Vendrells Parcerisa 23 mins CFC – Ward 70 & 90 mins