A Rob Curtis brace sent Beckenham Town to their second league defeat in a row as they are yet to register their first point in their 2016/17 SCEFL campaign.
Meanwhile opponents Croydon FC, having lost their opening six games last season, have taken four from a possible six this time around.
The last meeting between the sides earlier in 2016 saw a ten-goal thriller (7-3) and somewhat inevitably on this occasion it was a little more subdued and despite The Becks making four changes to the starting eleven from their opening day defeat at home to Ashford United it wasn’t enough for a change in fortune.
The hosts began the better as Rilwan Anibada saw Lauris Chin strike a snap-shot into the side netting and was aware and alert to danger as a miscued cross by Wesley Bartlett was comfortably taken from underneath his own crossbar.
Omari Delgado physical presence proved to be nuisance to The Trams’ defence throughout the evening but was unable to test Danny Carpanini early on striking low shot straight at the host’s goalkeeper.
The hosts opened the scoring midway through the opening half as The Becks showed their defensive frailty from set-pieces. Anibada was unable to keep out Curtis’ near-post header, the linesman adjudging the ball to have crossed the line.
Anibada was in action again as Jeff Dual-Kessie found space at the back post but could only head his effort straight at The Becks’ ‘keeper as better was to come, Anibada showing great strength to keep out a well struck half-volley from close range from the same man – Dual-Kessie unable to capitalise on the rebound.
The Becks finished the half well as Harry Draper was close to sliding home a pull back from the left touchline by Delgado and Hassan Jalloh was close to chasing down and connecting to a long ball by Anibada.
The visitors came out for the second period much the better as Adam Allen got his foot on the ball looking to become more influential. The Becks were certainly seeing more possession compared to the opening period.
But with The Becks pushing to get back on level terms The Trams looked to counter and Dual-Kessie, played through by Chin, saw Harry Stacy sliding in with a last ditch challenge as he looked to strike on goal whilst Karl Douglin turned his marker but lost composure and blazed well over Anibada’s crossbar.
Just shy of the hour mark The Becks failed to deal with another corner as Curtis scrambled home a Dual-Kessie header to score his and Croydon’s second of the night.
It was important for The Becks to respond positively and quickly and Delgado struck to give the visitors hope with plenty of time on the stopwatch to complete the comeback.
However despite The Becks having the lion’s share of possession they were unable to break through The Trams’ back line and create any clear-cut chances as the hosts held on to take all three points.
The Becks return to action this weekend in the FA Cup as they visit Ryman League side Chipstead looking to repeat their heroics of the previous round in a hard-fought victory at Lancing.
Croydon FC: Carpanini, Seymour, Bartlett, Curtis, Howell, Abrahams, Fray © (Olusunmade, 90+1), Mott, Dual-Kessie, Douglin, Chin
Subs not used: Brockman, Ameyah, Pinnock, Atta-Mensah
Goals: Curtis (19, 59)
Beckenham Town: Anibada, Whorms, Patterson, Stacy, Warren, Draper (Ogboe, 68), Allen ©, Fitzgerald, Delgado, Agibiloso, Jalloh (Akers, 68)
Subs not used: Turner, Marshall, Pulmar
Goals: Delgado (63)
Att: 88