EFL 2022: Mitcham upsets Croydon by 56 points in Division 1

The Tigers made a huge statement in the EFL’s Division 1 on Saturday against current top-three outfit Croydon. Here’s how.

Disappointment proved the catalyst for a Mitcham masterclass over a top-three rival in the Eastern league’s Division 1 on Saturday.

The Tigers surged into fourth spot on the ladder after romping to the 11.13 (79) to 3.5 (23) upset over third-placed Croydon at Walker Park.

Mitcham has now won four of its past five matches, and senior coach Neil Winterton pointed to the previous round’s 11-point loss to Montrose for the weekend’s turnaround.

Mitcham’s Jackson Hallo celebrates on Saturday. Picture: Mitcham FC

He said ball movement had been stagnant the previous week while the forward line was dysfunctional – but that all changed as the Tigers kept the Blues to just two goals to three-quarter time in the 56-point win.

“We just felt we never really got going (the previous round), a fair bit of credit belongs to Montrose but we just felt we didn’t play the way we wanted to play,” Winterton said.

“It probably exposed a few areas that we needed to work on.

“The ability of the guys to put in place the stuff we’d worked on was really pleasing, and to see them go out there and get the result, I think that was the most pleasing thing.

“I think that was the catalyst for the turnaround … I think it (Saturday’s win) could be a bit of a turning point for us.”

There was plenty of praise for midfielder Alex Barton-Smith who finished the Tigers’ best.

Barton-Smith has been “first-class” in the clinches this season, the coach says. Picture: Mitcham FC

“He’s had an outstanding season,” Winterton said.

“He wanted to take his game to another level (in the pre-season) and he’s certainly done that this year – every week his work around the clinches has been first-class.”

Meanwhile spearhead Jake Parente finished with a leading four goals while Guy Laughlin (three) and Jesse Smyth (two) also kicked multiples.

Jake Parente kicked four on Saturday in the win. Picture: Mitcham FC

Mitcham began the season 0-2 after losses to current top-two outfits Mooroolbark and East Ringwood but now boasts a 4-3 record.

Winterton said it was a credit to his group for turning its season around after a tough opening fortnight.

“I knew they were going to be the two teams to beat, in one respect it was good to come up against those teams early on and see where we sat … it can be a bit of a slippery slope if you drop your first two,” he said.

A clash with fifth-placed Beaconsfield awaits the Tigers this weekend, after the Eagles powered to an 18.22 (130) to 1.0 (6) victory over Upper Ferntree Gully.

“They’re obviously a very talented team, it’s huge,” Winterton said.