Andre Coker’s brace helped SE Dons defeat Croydon in a competitive Southern Counties East Football League First Division play-off eliminator.

Antonio Gonnella, manager of the Dons, encountered a problem even before the match had kicked off when intended starter Billy Crook was held up in traffic. That caused a reshuffle with Crook named as a substitute.

Femi Akinwande had the first effort of the match for the Dons with a shot that was saved comfortably by Albert Penney after Reece Barrett had headed Ryan Palmer’s free kick across goal.

Then, at the other end, the visitors’ Alex Arif tested George Kamurasi from twenty yards without success. Soon after, the Dons goalkeeper was almost caught out by an overhit chip by Charlie Dale that went over via the top of the crossbar.

Dominic Morgan-Griffiths had the Dons’ next chance with a shot from outside the penalty area. However, it took a big deflection and was saved easily by Penney then Kamurasi needed a strong wrist to push out Arif’s low driven cross after Kanan Fitton had slipped him in.

Another comfortable save by Penney from Eric de Melo followed before the hosts went ahead nine minutes before half time. Coker cut in from the left and played a one-two with Akinwande to go clean through and slot it low past the Trams’ goalkeeper.

Early in the second period, Coker again eased in from the left before his shot was deflected wide then Palmer’s corner was headed out as far as Morgan-Griffiths whose shot flew well over.

Shortly afterwards, the Dons doubled their lead. Coker got in behind, and as he worked his way into the penalty area, he was pulled down by Sam Smith. Feeling hard done by, Smith voiced his displeasure too aggressively and was dismissed. Once the fuss had died down, Coker beat Penney from the spot to double the lead.

Shots from Akinwande and Aaron Watson were saved easily by Penney either side of Arif blasting a free kick over from Croydon. Tommy Friend then headed wide from Trams’ substitute Red Jenkins’ free kick before Penney saved well from Morgan-Griffiths.

Eight minutes remained when the Dons were also reduced to ten men. Cameron MacMillan burst away down the right and was felled by Pat McKay. Although the Trams’ player wasn’t heading directly towards goal referee Kennedy Kikulwe must have deemed it a denial of a goalscoring opportunity, as it couldn’t be classified as serious foul play, and McKay was dismissed.

Ten minutes of stoppage time was indicated by the fourth official but the Dons’ held on comfortably with only an Olusegun Akinwunmi shot that Kamurasi gathered after he had struggled with it initially, to trouble them.

They will have home advantage again on Saturday in the decider when they play Rochester United or Lordswood.

SE Dons: Kamurasi, Palmer, Kamara, Barrett, McKay; Morgan-Griffiths (Rose 74), De Melo; Gugas-Cowin (Francis 75), Watson (Ansah 77), Coker (Figueira 90+1); Akinwande (Crook 66).

Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: Coker (36) (54 pen)

Yellow cards: None 

Red card: McKay (82 denial of goalscoring opportunity)

Croydon: Penney; Walters, Rufus, Clark (Smith 41), Friend; White, Dale (Jenkins 75); Barton (Dwyer 55), Arif (Akinwunmi 84), MacMillan; Fitton (Ward 66).

Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: None  

Yellow card: Rufus (5 foul)

Red card: Smith (53 dissent)

Referee: Kennedy Kikulwe

Assistants: James Folan-Young and Harry Smedley

Fourth Official: Jack Mottram

Attendance: 895