2005/2006 Season - Under 11's

ESFA Sainsbury's 7-a-side national finals at Keele University (17th June)

The curtain finally came down on the schools football season for Croydon when their Borough squad took part in the ESFA Sainsbury's inter-association finals at Keele University, North Staffordshire on Saturday.

Croydon - who had qualified for the last eight, by virtue of success in county and regional competitions - had hoped to go one better than the Croydon team which bowed out in the semi-final of the same competition at Wembley in 1999, losing on corners, had to be content with a disappointing joint fifth place.

It was a case of so near, yet so far for the Croydon team, with little going right for them in the 7-a-side small sided competition.

The day started badly for Croydon with two players from the nine-player squad indisposed. Tommy Smith (Roke) needed treatment by the FA physio before the first match got under way, against Poole & East Dorset, whilst Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way) was under the weather after being ill during Friday night, after a 5 hour, 190 mile journey.

Derek Tieku (Courtwood) headed Croydon into the lead, after 5 minutes, but Croydon suffered a blow when keeper, Will Page (Whitgift) suffered a hand injury and Nathan Antwi (Beulah) needed treatment when "winded".  Defensive lapses and loss of possession meant that Croydon conceded three goals, losing 3-1.

Leicester were Croydon's opponents in the second group match. Although Croydon faced the difficult task of beating tall Leicester goalkeeper, Luke Pickering, they went ahead with another Tieku goal. But Leicester - who went on to win the competition - shocked Croydon with two goals in the last three minutes to win, 2-1.

There was only pride at stake when Proud Preston were Croydon's opponents in the final group match. Croydon came good with a 1-0 win, with Tieku again being on target.

That meant a play-off for fifth place, against Bath. Although Croydon went 1-0 down, Tieku equalised and the match finished 1-1.

Under 11 Squad

The Croydon boys soon picked themselves up, being urged by Croydon Team Manager, Fiona Armfield to learn from their experience.

"We started too slowly, paid the penalty for individual errors, and although we took the lead in all three group matches, we lacked composure and shape." she said.

"The organisation was superb, both by the English Schools' FA officials, the University, and the sponsors" said CSFA Hon Secretary, David Lomas. "We particularly are grateful to the goodies we received from Sainsbury's stores at the Whitgift Centre and Purley Way, which made the long journeys more tolerable" he said.

Three of the Croydon Schools players in the 1999 squad were current Palace players, Lewis Grabban, Ryan Hall and David Wilkinson.

Croydon squad:  Will Page (Whitgift), Theo Stergiou (Ridgeway), Nathan Antwi (Beulah) Derek Tieku (Courtwood), Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church), Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks), Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way) Tommy Smith (Roke), Olusaye Obaye-Daley (Whitgift)

Woking Schools' Under 11s  1  Croydon Schools' Under 11s 0  (27th April)

Croydon Schools' Football Association's Under 11s came second best in the final of the Surrey Schools' Lancaster Cup competition, against a well-organised Woking side at Fulham Football Club's Motspur Park training ground last Thursday, losing 1-0.

Croydon went close to scoring in the first half, with long range shots from Derek Tieku and Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church). Michael Gray (St James the Great) saw his shot rebound off a post on the stroke of half-time.

The score was goalless at half-time.

Woking made a rare foray in to Croydon's penalty area, and when Croydon failed to clear their lines Woking made them pay, tapping home from close range.

The goal spurred Woking on and goalkeeper, Ben Giles (Downsview) was called upon to make several saves. Croydon pressed hard for the equaliser, with Nathan Antwi (Beulah) and Tieku going close.

Croydon threw everything forward in a bid to take the tie into extra-time, but they were unable to gel as a unit and found the Woking goalkeeper in top form.

Croydon squad:  Giles (Downsview), Jones (Smitham), Johnstone (Orchard Way), Obaye-Daley (Whitgift), Smith (Roke), Antwi (Beulah), Dickinson (Parish Church), Tieku (Courtwood), Stergiou (Ridgeway), Gray (St James the Great), Gee (Ridgeway), Nwanokwu, Worrell (both Downsview), Wynter (Davidson)

Croydon Schools' U11s  0   Barking & Dagenham Schools' U11s  1 (25th March)

A solitary goal after 20 minutes was sufficient to signal the end of Croydon Schools' Under 11s interest in the London Schools' FA's Crisp Shield competition as the holders were ousted in the semi-final by Barking & Dagenham Schools at Greenacres Leisure Club, Warlingham on Saturday morning.

Croydon were unable to break down the visitors' resolute defence, and as a consequence they had few clear-cut chances.

Barking & Dagenham's goal stemmed from a right-wing corner, which was not cleared and the ball was stabbed home from close range.

Croydon tried desperately to get back on level terms, after half-time and both Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way) and Derek Tieku (Courtwood) went close but Croydon went down to only their second home defeat this season.

Croydon squad:  Ben Giles (Downsview), Tommy Smith (Roke), Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way), Olusaye Obaye-Daley (Whitgift), Obi Nwanokwu (Downsview), Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church),Derek Tieki (Courtwood), Nathan Antwi (Beulah), Michael Gray (St James the Great), Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks), Theo Stergiou, Michael Gee (both Ridgeway)

South East England Sainsbury's 7-a-Side Inter-Association Competition (18th March)

Croydon Schools' Football Association's added another string to their bow when they qualified for the national finals of the English Schools' Football Association's Sainsbury's Under 11 7-a-Side Inter-Association Competition, following the South-East regional stage at Greenwich on Saturday.

Croydon (Surrey champions), began their group matches tentatively, with scoreless draws against Barking & Dagenham (Essex), St Albans (Herts) and Haringey (Middlesex).

This meant that they needed a win in their final group fixture, against the Bucks champions, Chiltern & South Bucks. Nathan Antwi (Beulah) duly obliged, with a brace and Croydon's 2-0 win saw them top their group.

Luton (Bedfordshire) were Croydon's opponents in the semi-final and Croydon cruised to a 2-0 win, thanks to goals from Derek Tieku (Courtwood) and Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks).

St Albans won the final, 1-0, against Croydon but as both finalists were to go through, Croydon booked themselves a trip to Keele University on 17th June, where they will contest the trophy against Regional finalists from the North, Midlands and South-West competitions.

Croydon squad:  William Page (Whitgift), Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way), Olusaye Obaye-Daley (Whitgift), Nathan Antwi (Beulah), Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church), Tommy Smith (Roke), Derek Tieku (Courtwood), Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks)

Sutton Schools' U11s  3  Croydon Schools' U11s  5 (11th March)

Croydon Schools' Football Association's gained their first silverware when their Under 11 borough side ousted neighbours, Sutton, 5-3, at Carshalton on Saturday to retain the Surrey Schools Sydney Black League trophy.

Croydon made hard work of the task of taking a point to lift the trophy, trailing 2-1 at half-time having spurned several good chances.

Leading goal scorer, Derek Tieku (Courtwood) shot Croydon into an early lead, notching his tally to 23 goals, but Sutton hit back with goals from Harry Middleton (Rushy Meadow) and Simon Mander (All Saints).

Sutton's goalkeeper denied Croydon as the visitors pressed for an equaliser, pulling off fine saves against efforts by Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church) and Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks).

Michael Gray (St James the Great) secured the equalising goal from the edge of the penalty area, eight minutes in to the second half and Croydon eased ahead seven minutes later when Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way) scored directly from a corner.

It was 4-2 to Croydon three minutes later when a Dickinson effort was only partially saved.

A flowing move by Croydon was finished with a goal from Obi Kwenokwu (Downside), as Croydon pressed ahead but there was time for another goal by Sutton, by Stuart Smith (Cheam Common) making the score line, 5-3 in Croydon's favour.

Goal scorers left to right
Obi Nwanokwu, Derek Tieku, Tommy Johnstone
Haydn Dickinson and Michael Gray

Under 11s with Team Manager Fiona Armfield

This win is Croydon's third victory over Sutton, in the last five weeks and means that they preserve their unbeaten league record.

Croydon now hope to qualify for the finals of the English Schools' Football Association's Sainsbury's 7-a-side inter-district competition when they travel to Greenwich for the South-East Area regional qualifying event.

The high-flying Under 11s have a Surrey Schools Lancaster Cup final to contest against Woking Schools and take on Barking & Dagenham in the semi-final of the London Schools' Crisp Shield (March 25th).

With the borough's secondary school teams still engaged in the closing stages of nine competitions (including four finals) there is the potential to gain more silverware to display at the association's Presentation Evening at Archbishop Tenison's School on May 12th.

Croydon squad:  Giles (Downsview), Smith (Roke). Jones (Smitham), Johnstone (Orchard Way), Obaye-Daley (Whitgift), Nwanokwu (Downsview), Dickinson (Parish Church),Tieku (Courtwood), Gray (St James the Great), Antwi (Beulah), Wilkinson (Purley Oaks), Gee , Stergiou (both Ridgeway), Worrell (Downsview)
Sutton squad:  Hall (Stanley Park), Barbuiry (Barrow Hedges), Barrington (High View), Davies (St Elphege's), Dennelly (St Cecilia's), Fitzgerald (Barrow Hedges), Harrington (The Acenue), Mander (All Saints), Middleton (Rushy Meadow), Price (Abbey), Roberts (The Avenue), Smith (Cheam Common), Webbe (Cheam Park Farm) Marshall (Abbey)

Croydon Schools' Under 11s  5  Sutton Schools' Under 11s  2  (4th March)

Croydon Schools' Football Association's Under 11 borough side edged closer to retaining the Surrey Schools' Football Association's Sydney Black League title with an impressive 5-2 win over neighbours and rivals, Sutton Schools, at Greenacres Leisure Club, Warlingham on Saturday morning.

They enhanced their position at the top of the league, with a performance described by Team Manager, Fiona Armfield, as a "master class in football".

Despite early Croydon pressure, Sutton went ahead through a low, hard shot by Simon Mander (All Saints) that beat Croydon goalkeeper, David Earl (St John's).

Croydon created numerous chances, without converting them into goals, until Obi Nwanokwu (Dowsnview) showed great pace on the right and then sent over a pinpoint cross for leading goal scorer, Derek Tieku (Courtwood) to equalise.  Tieku broke through the Sutton defence a few minutes later. His effort lobbed the keeper and was tapped home by Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks). Tieku took his season's tally to 22 goals, including four hat-tricks, sending Croydon in to a 3-1 half-time lead.

Sutton rallied after the interval and a mix-up in the Croydon defence pegged the score back to 3-2, with Lewis Dennelly (St Cecilia's) bagging the goal.

Sutton goalkeeper, Daniel Hall (Stanley Park) was in great form, keeping Croydon's lively forwards at bay for the next fifteen minutes, but when Nathan Antwi (Beulah) showed silky skills down the left, his cross was latched onto by Wilkinson, for his brace and Croydon's fourth goal.

Nyron Worrell (Downsview) completed Croydon's scoring, creating a chance for himself, turning neatly to complete the 5-2 win.

The return fixture is Saturday at Mill Lane, Carshalton (k.o. 10.30am).  A win for Croydon will ensure the retention of the title.

Croydon squad:  David Earl (St John's), Robert Jones (Smitham), Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way), Olusaye Obaye-Daley (Whitgift), Tommy Smith (Roke), Obi Nwanokwu (Downsview), Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church), Derek Tieku (Courtwood), Nathan Antwi (Beulah), Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks), Michael Gray (St James the Great), Michael Gee (Ridgeway), Nyron Worrell (Downsview), Theo Stergiou (Ridgeway)

Sutton squad:  Daniel Hall (Stanley Park), Ryan Barbury (Barrow Hedges), David Harrington (High View), Charlie Davies (St Elphege's), Lewis Dennelly (St Cecilia's), Ted Fitzgerald (Barrow Hedges), Thomas Harrington (The Avenue), Simon Mander (All Saints), Harry Middleton (Rushy Meadow), Bobby Price (Abbey), Owen Roberts (The Avenue), Stuart Smith (Cheam Common), Bobby Webbe (Cheam Park Farm), Tommy Marshall (Abbey)

Croydon Schools' U11s 3  Sutton Schools' U11s 0  (11th February)

Croydon Schools' Under 11s rode their luck in a scrappy Lancaster Cup semi-final at Greenacres, Warlingham on Saturday morning, easing their way past neighbours, Sutton.

Ben Giles debut for Under 11s

Croydon's leading goal scorer, Derek Tieku (Courtwood) was soon on the score sheet, firing home a powerful volley from outside the penalty area.

Sutton were twice denied a goal when they had the ball in the net but referee, Patrick Haugh denied their efforts, indicating infringements.

Conor Wilkinson (Orchard Way) put Croydon 2-0 up by half-time and Tommy Johnstone (Purley Oaks) scored directly from a corner in the last minute to secure Croydon a place in the final.

Derek Tieku, Tommy Johnstone and Conor Wilkinson

Croydon squad:  Ben Giles (Downsview), Tommy Smith (Roke), Robert Jones (Smitham), Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way), Oluseyi Obaye-Daley (Whigift), Obi Nwanokwu (Downsview), Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church) Derek Tieku (Courtwood), Michael Gray (St James the Great), Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks), Theo Stergiou (Ridgeway), Kane Grandison (Woodcote), Michael Gee (Ridgeway)

Under 11 Borough Squad v Sutton Schools

Sutton squad:  Hall (Stanley Park), Barbury (Barrow Hedges), Barrington (High View), Davies St Elphege's), Dennelly (St Cecilia's), Fitzgerald (Barrow Hedges), Harrington (The Avenue), Mander (All Saints), Middleton (Rushy Meadow), Price (Abbey), Webbe (Cheam Park Farm)

Godalming Schools' U11s  5  Croydon Schools' U11s  5  (4th February)

Croydon Schools' Under 11s surrendered their hundred per cent record in the Surrey Schools' Sydney Black League when they drew 5-5 at Hindhead, against bottom of the table, Godalming.

Croydon were soon behind but leading goal scorer, Derek Tieku (Courtwood) soon put them back on level terms.

Godalming scored twice more in the first half to leave Croydon, unusually 3-1 in arrears at half-time. When the home side went 4-1 up it looked like a pointless day for Croydon but Tieku netted from a Tommy Johnstone corner, only for Godalming to go 5-2 up.

This goal was a signal for Croydon to rally. Tieku completed his third hat-trick of the season and Nyron Worrell (Downsview pulled the score line back to 5-4, with a deft turn and shot in the six yard box.  With only minutes remaining, Tieku salvaged a point for Croydon, after a fine solo run and there was just time for Kane Grandison (Woodcote) to see his shot sail over the crossbar.

Croydon squad:  David Earl (St John's), Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way), Tommy Smith (Roke), Robert Jones (Smitham), Theo Stergiou (Ridgeway) Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church), Derek Tieku (Coirtwood), Obi Nwanokwu (Downsview), Jack Wynter (Davidson), Nyron Worrell (Downsview), Kane Grandison (Woodcote)

Newham Schools' Under 11s  2  Croydon Schools' Under 11s  3 (21st January)

Croydon Schools' Football Association's Under 11s produced a gritty and determined performance away to Newham Schools at Fairlop on Saturday  twice coming from behind and eventually clinching a place in the semi-final of the London Schools' Football Association's Crisp Shield competition, with the winning goal coming two minutes from time.

Newham proved to be a tough nut to crack, probably Croydon's strongest opponents this season. Although at times the Essex boys looked as though they might put the tie beyond Croydon's reach, the Croydon boys refused to surrender and an improved second half-display saw them claw their way back and shock their hosts with a well-taken late winner.

Newham went ahead after thirteen minutes, direct from a free-kick, and led 1-0 at half-time.  But within two minutes Croydon equalised via leading goal scorer, Derek Tieku (Courtwood) who finished off a well-worked move involving Jack Wynter (Davidson) and Nyron Worrell (Downsview).

Another Newham free-kick, on the edge of the Croydon penalty area, which rebounded downwards off the crossbar, and which was scrambled in, restored their lead five minutes later but Obi Nwanokwu (Downsview) scrambled home a corner put Croydon back on level terms within five minutes.

Haydn Dickinson, Derek Tieku and Obi Nwanokwu

With the outcome in the melting pot both sides fought hard for the winner. With the prospect of extra-time looming, Croydon were awarded an indirect free-kick inside the Newham penalty area.  Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way) rolled the ball to the lively Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church) who rifled the ball through the Newham defensive wall, and passed the despairing Newham keeper.

Croydon are at home to Barking Schools in the semi-final.

Croydon squad:  David Earl (St John's), Tommy Smith (Roke), Robert Jones (Smitham), Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way), Oluseyi Obaye-Daley (Whitgift), Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church), Derek Tieku (Courtwood), Nyron Worrell (Downsview), Theo Stergiou (Ridgeway), Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks), Obi Nwanokwu (Downsview), Michael Gee (Ridgeway), Jack Wynter (Davidson)

Croydon Schools' Under 11s  3  Woking Schools' Under 11s  0  (14th January)

Croydon Schools' Football Association's Under 11s Borough team returned to winning ways with a sound 3-0 victory over Woking Schools at Greenacres Leisure Club, Warlingham on Saturday morning  to enhance their position at the top of the Surrey Schools' Sydney Black league.

Croydon dominated the game from start to finish, never looking back from a first minute lead, which came about when Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks) broke down the left.

Leading goal scorer, Derek Tieku (Courtwood) latched on to the cross only to see the Woking goalkeeper block his effort, but Nyron Worrell (Downsview) smashed home the loose ball.  Croydon got well on top and Worrell grabbed a second for Croydon, from close range, in the 14th minute.

Woking were not overawed by the score line and forced Croydon keeper, David Earl (St John's) into fine saves towards the end of the first half.

Nyron Worrell (2) and Conor Wilkinson

Croydon applied further pressure after the interval and Tieku and Oluseyi Obaye-Daley had efforts cleared off the Woking goal line before Wilkinson fired home a third goal eight minutes into the second period, finding the net with a tremendous left foot volley from the edge of the penalty area.

Under 11 Borough Squad v Woking Schools

Croydon squad:  David Earl (St John's), Tommy Smith (Roke), Robert Jones (Smitham), Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way), Oluseyi Obaye-Daley (Whitgift), Declan Smith (Gresham), Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church), Derek Tieku (Courtwood), Nyron Worrelll (Downsview), Theo Stergiou (Ridgeway), Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks), Obi Nwanokwu (Downsview), Kane Grandison (Woodcote), Michael Gee (Ridgeway)

South Gloucestershire Schools' U11s  3  Croydon Schools' U11s  1 (7th January)

Two late goals saw South Gloucestershire Schools Under 11s come from behind to win, 3-1, against Croydon Schools in the third round of the Southern Counties Cup competition at Yate (near Bristol) on Saturday.

Croydon took the lead in the seventh minute, with an "own goal" but their opponents came close to drawing level only two minutes later, when the ball rebounded from an upright.

The home side equalised five minutes before half-time, following a corner.

There was little to choose between the two teams in the second half, but South Gloucestershire clinched a place in the semi-final with two goals inside a minute, in the last five minutes of the match, after Croydon had a player dismissed in an innocuous incident, which Croydon claimed was a case of mistaken identity.

Croydon squad:  David Earl (St John's), Robert Jones (Smitham), Tommy Smith (Roke), Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way), Oluseyi Obaye-Daley (Whitgift), Obi Nwanokwu (Downsview), Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church), Derek Tieku (Courtwood), Michael Gee (Ridgeway), Nathan Antwi (Beulah), Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks), Theo Stergiou (Ridgeway), Jack Wynter (Davidson)

Wandsworth Schools' Under 11s  1  Croydon Schools' Under 11s 7 (10th December)

Derek Tieku (Courtwood) notched his third hat-trick of the season in Croydon Under 11s comfortable 7-1 away friendly against Wandsworth on Saturday morning.

Wandsworth shocked Croydon by taking an early lead but the visitors rallied and were soon back on level terms through Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks).

Croydon looked set to take the lead but Nyron Worrell (Downsview) saw his shot shave the upright, but soon afterwards Declan Smith (Gresham) crossed for Tieku to ram home the first of his three goals, then Wilkinson made it 3-1 before half-time.

Croydon netted four times in the last ten minutes. Scorers were Tommy Smith (Roke), Tieku with a brace, and Rob Jones (Smitham) with a fine solo effort, leaving three defenders in his wake.

Croydon squad:  Earl (St John's), Johnstone (Orchard Way), Tommy Smith (Roke), Oluseyi-Daley (Whitgift), Stergiou (Ridgeway), Dickinson (Parish Church), Tieku (Courtwood), Declan Smith (Gresham), Mc Pherson (Downsview), Wilkinson (Purley Oaks), Worrell (Downsview), Gee (Ridgeway), Obi (Downsview), Jones (Smitham)

Croydon Schools' Under 11s  1  Brighton Schools' Under 11s  2  (26th November)

Croydon Schools' Football Association's Under 11 Borough side's unbeaten record this season came to an end on Saturday when a penalty five minutes from time saw opponents, Brighton, through to the second round of the South-East Area Gills Shield competition, by a 2-1 margin in a hard-fought encounter, at Greenacres Sports & Leisure Club, Warlingham.

After going a goal in arrears for the first time this season, Croydon fought back and after Jack Wynter (Davidson) and Kane Grandison (Woodcote) linked well on the left, Declan Smith (Gresham) set up a chance for Derek Tieku (Courtwood) who tucked the ball home from close range.

Croydon got well on top after the interval but found the Brighton goalkeeper in top form, pulling off a string of saves to thwart the Croydon strikers.

A handball infringement in the closing stages led to the penalty and an end to Croydon's record of seven matches unbeaten this season.

Croydon squad:  David Earl (St John's), Tommy Smith (Roke), Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way), Oluseyi Obaye-Daley (Whitgift), Robert Jones (Smitham), Declan Smith (Gresham), Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church), Derek Tieku (Courtwood), Jack Wynter (Davidson), Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks), Kane Grandison (Woodcote), Theo Stergiou (Ridgeway), Rai Ramus (Chipstead Valley), Nyron Worrell (Downsview)

Kingston Schools' U11s  1 Croydon Schools' U11s  4 (19th November)

Croydon Schools' Football Association's Under 11s produced one of their best displays of the season, when they won 4-1 away to Kingston Schools in a Surrey Schools' Sydney Black League fixture at New Malden on Saturday.

The Borough boys - unbeaten this season in their seven matches - were on top form, especially Derek Tieku (Courtwood) who notched his second hat-trick of the season in an impressive display of all-round football.

Croydon took an early lead, after four minutes, when Tieku blasted a right-foot volley from twenty yards. The visitors worked hard in all areas of the pitch and created a number of chances only to be thwarted by an outstanding display by the overworked Kingston goalkeeper.

But the keeper could do nothing about Tieku's second goal which came when a cross from the left by Nathan Antwi (Beulah) was only partially cleared, leaving the Croydon player to fire home.

Croydon continued to dominate after the half-time score of 2-0 in their favour, and increased their lead when Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church) laid on a chance for Kane Grandison (Woodcote).

Kingston's chances were kept to a minimum, with Oluseyi Obaye-Daley (Whitgift) and Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way) shining at the heart of the Croydon defence.

Declan Smith (Gresham) undertook a marauding run on the right and slipped the ball through to Tieku, who completed his hat-trick, making the score line 4-0 in Croydon's favour, but the visitors took their foot off the pedal and Kingston grabbed a late consolation goal.

Croydon squad:  David Earl (St John's), Tommy Smith (Roke), Oluseyi Obaye-Daley (Whitgift), Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way), Robert Jones (Smitham), Declan Smith (Gresham), Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church), Derek Tieku (Courtwood), Nathan Antwi (Beulah), Kane Grandison (Woodcote), Michael Gray (St James the Great), Michael Gee (Ridgeway), Theo Stergiou (Ridgeway), Jack Wynter (Davidson)

Bexley Schools' U11s  0  Croydon Schools' U11s  6 (12th November)

Holders, Croydon Under 11s, marched through to the second round of the London Schools' Crisp Shield, following a convincing 6-0 win away to Bexley at Cleeve Park School, Sidcup, on Saturday.

Their unbeaten record this season never looked in doubt, with Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks) notching a hat-trick as Croydon netted three times in each half, without reply.

Derek Tieku (Courtwood) opened the scoring with a pile driver from 25 yards out. Croydon got well on top and peppered the Bexley goal with a series of shots. After ten minutes Tieku swept the ball wide to Nathan Antwi (Beulah). His left foot cross found Wilikinson who slotted neatly home for the first of his three goals, securing a second with a deft header, putting Croydon well in command.

Wlilkinson completed his treble early in the second half. It was 5-0 when Rob Jones (Smitham) latched on to a loose ball, following a fine run by Theo Stergiou (Ridgeway), chipping the ball past the keeper from a tight angle.

There was time for a sixth goal for Croydon, when Michael Gray (St James the Great) burst through to hammer home his second goal of the season.

Croydon squad:  David Earl (St John's), Tommy Smith (Roke), Oloseyi Daley (Whitgift), Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way), Robert Jones (Smitham), Nathan Antwi (Beulah), Derek Tieku (Courtwood), Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church), Declan Smith (Gresham), Michael Gray (St James the Great), Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks), Theo Stergiou (Ridgeway), Nyron Worrell (Downsview), Michael Gee (Ridgeway)

Dartford Schools' U11s  1  Croydon Schools' U11s 2 (5th November)

Croydon Schools' Football Association's Under 11s Borough side had to work hard to preserve their unbeaten record when they travelled to Dartford on Saturday, returning with a 2-1 victory.

Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks) opened the scoring for Croydon with a fine left foot strike, after ten minutes, Croydon continued to dominate and a thunderous effort from Derek Tieku (Courtwood) shaved the crossbar.

Croydon brought on substitutes at the interval and straight from the re-start Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church) lobbed the Dartford keeper from 20 yards out to put Croydon 2-0 up.

Dartford fought back and reduced the arrears midway through the second half. The home side pressed hard for the equaliser but spirited defending from Croydon's back four of Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way), Robert Jones (Smitham), Tommy Smith (Roke) and Ryan McPherson (David Livingstone) reduced Dartford's chances to a minimum.

Croydon squad:  David Earl (St John's), Robert Jones (Smitham), Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way), Theo Stergiou (Ridgeway), Tommy Smith (Roke), Jack Wynter (Davidson), Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church), Derek Tieku (Courtwood), Obi (Downsview), Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks), Kane Grandison (Woodcote), Ryan McPherson (David Livingstone), Rai Ramus (Chipstead Valley), Nyron Worrell (Downsview), Philip Burch (St John's)

English Schools' Sainsbury's inter-association competition (22nd October)

Croydon Schools' Under 11s - unbeaten this season - translated their form into the 7-a-side version of the game, when they emerged as winners of the county qualifying stage of the English Schools' Sainsbury's inter-association competition, at Woking on Saturday.

Wins over Woking A and B, Kingston A and B, and Godalming B, plus a draw against Godalming A, saw them through.  Croydon's B team finished as runners up.  Derek Tieku (Courtwood) topped the Croydon goal scorers, followed by Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church) and Nathan Antwi (Beulah).

Croydon go through to the South-East Regional stage in April.

Croydon A squad:

• Page (Whitgift)
• Johnstone (Orchard Way)
• Oluseyi-Daley (Whitgift)
• Tieku (Courtwood)
• Dickinson (Parish Church)
• Antwi (Beulah)
• Smith (Roke)

Croydon B squad:

• Earl (St John's)
• Stergiou (Ridgeway)
• Jones (Smitham)
• Gee (Ridgeway)
• Ramus (Chipstead Valley)
• Wynter (Davidson)
• Nwanokwu (Downsview)
• Grandison (Woodcote)

Derek Tieku (Courtwood) notched a hat-trick as Croydon Schools' Football Association's Under 11s sped to a comfortable 8-2 win over Godalming Schools' in a Surrey Schools' FA Sydney Black League match at Greenacres Sports & Leisure Club, Warlingham on Saturday.

This latest victory takes the under 11 squad's record this season to four games unbeaten with a total of 21 goals scored.

Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks) shot Croydon into an early lead and then Tieku got the first of his three goals, getting on the end of a corner from Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way).

Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church) added a third and Tieku grabbed his second, with a long range shot. Debutant, Michael Gray, (St James the Great) made it 5-0 to Croydon at half-time.

Godalming pushed forward much more in the second half, leaving Wilkinson to catch them on the break but then they opened their account with a well-taken free-kick only for Tieku to complete his hat-trick minutes later.

The visitors scored again, but Kane Grandison (Woodcote) rounded off the scoring to make it 8-2 to Croydon.

Croydon squad:  David Earl (St John's), Tommy Smith (Roke), Robert Jones (Smitham), Oluseyi Obaye-Daley (Whitgift), Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way), Obi Nwanokwu (Downsview), Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church), Derek Tieku (Courtwood), Kane Grandison (Woodcote), Theo Stergiou (Ridgeway), Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks), Michael Gray (St James the Great), Ryan Macpherson (David Livingstone), Rai Ramus (Chipstead Valley)

Woking Schools' U11s  0  Croydon Schools' U11s  6 (8th October)

Croydon Schools' Football Association's Under 11s produced a fine display of attacking football as they maintained their unbeaten record this season with a convincing 6-0 verdict away to Woking in their first Surrey Schools' FA Sydney Black League fixture.

Debutant Jerome Williams (Beulah) put Croydon ahead after eight minutes, following good work down the left by schoolmate, Nathan Antwi. Williams grabbed a second two minutes later, latching on to a neat pass by Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks) and rifling a left foot shot, hard and low past the Woking custodian.

Woking struggled to get out of their own half and when Williams found Obi Nwanokwu in space ten minutes from the interval the Downsview boy made no mistake from close range, to put Croydon 3-0 up.

Croydon brought on their two substitutes after the break and continued to dominate, and further goals from Derek Tieku (Courtwood), Willkinson and Nyron Worrell (Downside) completed their success.

Croydon squad:  David Earl (St John's), Tommy Smith (Roke), Tommy Johnstone (Orchard Way), Olliseyi Obaye-Daley (Whitgift), Robert Jones (Smitham), Obi Nwanokwu (Downside), Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church), Derek Tieku (Courtwood), Natah Antwi (Beulah), Jerome Williams (Beulah), Conor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks), Theo Stergiou (Ridgeway), Nyron Worrell.

Lewisham Schools'  5 Croydon Schools'  6 (1st October)

Croydon emerged as narrow 6-5 winners when the goals flowed freely in their Under 11 away friendly fixture against Lewisham Schools at Downham on Saturday.

The score line was only 1-1 at half-time but the floodgates opened after the interval. Each time Croydon nosed ahead Lewisham hit back but Croydon hung on for the tightest of wins in a thrilling finish which saw three goals in the last ten minutes.

Derek Tieku (Courtwood) twice went close for Croydon before shooting them into the lead with a clever lob in the 17th minute.  But Lewisham hit back with an equaliser just before the interval when quicksilver Chuboy Udumaga outpaced Croydon goalkeeper David Earl (St John's) as the determined keeper dashed off his line in a valiant attempt to thwart the exciting solo effort by the diminutive but dangerous Lewisham striker.

A Kane Grandison (Woodcote) volley soon restored Croydon's lead but Lewisham levelled two minutes later.  Connor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks) was upended in the penalty area, thirteen minutes into the second period, and he converted the penalty himself, with a strong left-foot spot-kick.

Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church) made it 4-2 with fourteen minutes left and Croydon looked to be in control.  But Lewisham pulled one back with a shot that went in off an upright, only for Wilkinson to restore the two-goal cushion with a stunning volley, from a superb cross from Grandison, making it 5-3 in Croydon's favour, in the 20th minute.

A close-range goal, arising from a defensive mix-up in Croydon's six yard box put Lewisham back in the hunt but a bad miss from a good position, with a Lewisham player shooting wide, with Croydon 'keeper, Earl, stranded, cost them the opportunity to make it 5-5.

Grandison set up a chance for Nyron Worrell (Downsview), who gratefully accepted, making it 6-4 with five minutes left but Lewisham again hit back to make the final score line 6-5 in Croydon's favour.

Croydon squad:  David Earl (St John's), Tommy Smith (Roke), Robert Jones (Smitham), Derek Tieku (Courtwood), Oluseyi Obaye-Daley (Whitgift), Tommy Johnson (Orchard Way), Haydn Dickinson (Parish Church), Jack Wynter (Davidson), Nyron Worrell (Downsview), Rai Ramus (Chipstead Valley), Connor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks), Kane Grandison (Woodcote), Obi Nwanokwu (Downsview), Theo Stergiou (Ridgeway), Ryan McPherson (David Livingstone).

Croydon Schools'  1 Sutton Schools'  1 (24th September)

Honours were shared when Croydon School's Football Association entertained neighbours Sutton Schools, in the first outing for both boroughs, in an entertaining draw at Greenacres Sports and Leisure Club, Warlingham.

Croydon created more chances in the first half, with Connor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks), Jack Wynter (Davidson) and Derek Tieku (Courtwood) posing problems for the Sutton defence.

Wilkinson broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half, embarking on a strong solo run which culminated in a fine left foot volley from the edge of the penalty area.

Sutton tried hard to get back on level terms but they had some luck when Croydon's Tieku saw his shot rebound from the Sutton crossbar into the keeper's arms.

The equaliser came from Lewis Dennelly (St Cecilia's) four minutes before the final whistle when a breakaway move on Sutton's left flank ended in a strong goal bound cross shot.

Croydon squad:  David Earl (St John's), Tommy Smith (Roke), Theo Stergiou (Ridgeway), Oui Sheyi (Whitgift), Tommy Johnson (Orchard Way), Obi Nwanokwu (Downsview), Connor Wilkinson (Purley Oaks), Jack Wynter (Davidson), Derek Tieku (Courtwood), Kane Grandison (Woodcote), Hayden Dickinson (Parish Church)
Substitutes:  Rai Ramus (Chipstead Valley), Robert Jones (Smitham), Nyron Worrell (Downsview).

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Tuesday, 6 January, 2009

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