2007/2008 Season - Under 13's

Croydon Schools' Under 13 borough side capped a successful season by winning two prestigious trophies in cup finals at Shelton Sports & Leisure, Warlingham last week.

Each match had the spectators on edge, as Croydon clawed their way back from two goal deficits.

Croydon Schools' Under 13s 5 Blackheath Schools' Under 13s 3 (22nd May)

Croydon got off to a bad start in this South-East England Wimbledon Challenge Trophy Final, at Shelton Sports, Warlingham on Thursday, trailing 2-0 in the first ten minutes against a determined and skilful Blackheath side.

But within a minute Croydon skipper, Derek Tieku (Riddlesdown) reduced the arrears and later in the first half scored with a pile driver when an indirect free-kick was lined up for him on the edge of the penalty area.

Charlie Penny Put Croydon 3-2 up, and within a minute it was 4-2 when Jerome Williams scored with a superb volley.

Matt Sunday put Croydon 5-2 up with only five minutes remaining and Blackheath scored a consolation goal in the last minute.

Croydon Schools' Football Association's Under 13s with the Wimbledon Challenge Trophy

Croydon squad:  David Earl (Shirley), Tommy Johnstone (Edenham), Nathan Antwi (Harris), Sam Findlay, Haydn Dickinson, Derek Tieku, Charlie Penny, Jordan Martin, Tommy Smith, Joe Pope (all Riddlesdown), Olusay-Obaye-Daley (Whitgift), Jerome Williams (Ashburton), Matthew Sunday (Archbishop Tenison's), Conor Wilkinson (Coulsdon), Kane Grandison (Woodcote), Aaron Abbot (Shirley)

Croydon Schools' U13s 7  Waltham Forest Schools' Under 13s 6 (20th May)

This was a roller-coaster of a London Schools' FA Sydney Gill Cup Final.

Nobody could have anticipated what an avalanche of goals would apply after a half-time score of 1-0 to Forest.

A defensive error made it 2-0, but Matt Sunday (Tenison's) pulled one back for Croydon after 12 minutes, only for Forest to go 3-1 up a minute later.

Charlie Penny (Riddlesdown) scored from close range to make it 3-2 and then Jerome Williams (Ashburton) put Croydon right back in the game, when he equalised.

Croydon went 4-3 up, then forest equalised with two minutes remaining. Croydon edged ahead only for Forest to make it 5-5 and take the tie into extra-time.

Williams scored from close range but Forest levelled again. Penny notched the winner for Croydon in stoppage time.

Croydon Schools' Football Association's Under 13s with the London Schools' Sydney Gill Cup

Under 13s Captain Derek Tieku with the London Schools' Sydney Gill Cup

Blackheath Schools' U13s 0  Croydon Schools' U13s 3 (26th April)

Croydon Schools' Football Association's Under 13s eased their way into their second final when they defeated Blackheath Schools by three goals without reply in the London Schools' Football Association's Gill Cup semi-final at Eltham on Saturday.

Croydon never looked back from the first minute when Conor Wilkinson (Coulsdon) slotted a pass to Matthew Sunday (Archbishop Tenison's) who in turn set up Jerome Williams (Ashburton) who made no mistake.

Blackheath bounced back but Whitgift duo, Ben Gubby and Oluseyi Obaye-Daley were strong at the back and David Earl (Shirley) was in impressive form in goal.

Croydon went 2-0 up after twenty minutes when the home keeper fumbled a corner and Tommy Johnstone (Edenham), allowing Nathan Antwi (Harris) to score from close range.

Jordan Martin and Haydn Dickinson were commanding in midfield as Croydon combated Blackheath's attacks and Croydon led 2-0 at the interval.

Earl made a string of fine saves as Croydon soaked up the pressure and looked dangerous in counter-attacks, with Dickinson and Charlie Penny (Riddlesdown) going close to increase their lead.

Tommy Johnstone curled a corner straight into the Blackheath net. Further efforts from Dickinson and Penny shot narrowly wide but Croydon's battling performance saw them through. Their hero was goalkeeper, David Earl (Shirley) who recorded his first clean sheet of the season.

Croydon squad:  David Earl (Shirley), Tommy Johnstone (Edenham), Nathan Antwi (Harris), Olusey-obaye-Daley, Ben Gubby (both Whitgift), Jerome Williams (Ashburton), Conor Wilkinson (Coulsdon), Haydn Dickinson, Jordan Martin, Charlie Penny, Tommy Smith and Joe Pope (all Riddlesdown), Matthew Sunday (Archbishop Tenison's), Aaron Abbot (Shirley)

Dover & Deal Schools' U13s 2  Croydon Schools' U13s 3 (8th March)

Croydon Schools' Football Association's Under 13s qualified for the English Schools' FA's South East England Wimbledon Challenge Trophy by virtue of an entertaining 3-2 away win at Dover on Saturday.

Although missing several key players through injury Croydon started brightly with Jerome Williams (Ashburton) and Derek Tieku (Riddlesdown) shining in midfield.

Matthew Sunday (Archbishop Tenison's) was put through in the early stages but was foiled by a great save.  Eventually the deadlock was broken when Sunday pounced onto a clever flick by Zikky Lungu after 14 minutes.

Derek Tieku (Riddlesdown) scored a tremendous second goal, weaving his way past several home defenders, just three minutes before half-time.

Croydon continued to dominate after half-time and it came as no surprise when Lungu scored from a breakaway.

In a late flourish Dover & Deal gave Croydon a scare, scoring twice, being foiled by a save by David Earl (Shirley) and a missed scoring opportunity by the home side.

Croydon squad:  Earl (Shirley), Friday, Smith, Martin (all Riddlesdown), Johnstone (Edenham), Antwi (Harris), Abbott (Shirley), Williams (Ashburton), Tieku, Lungu (both Riddlesdown), Sunday, Lee (both Tenison's), Grandison (Woodcote)

Merton Schools' U13s 6  Croydon Schools' U13s 4 (9th February)

Croydon's Under 13s let slip a first half 2-1 lead, crashing 6-4 away to Merton in a Surrey Schools' Wood Cup semi-final.

Williams (Ashburton) and Nathan Antwi (Harris CTC) shot Croydon in to a two goal lead inside 30 minutes. Croydon looked strong at the back, with debutant Ben Gubby (Whitgift) looking a real asset.

Croydon continued to dominate, going close on numerous occasions but failing to increase their lead. Williams and Matthew Sunday (Archbishop Tenison's) shot wide and Croydon paid the penalty when Merton score on the break to make it 2-1 to Croydon.

Another counter attack by Merton saw them equalise but Williams notched his second before Merton came back strongly, scoring four times in a fifteen minute spell, putting them 6-3 up.

Croydon tried hard to battle their way into the match, but they had to be content with a late goal, by Williams, which marked his hat-trick.

Croydon squad:  Earl (Shirley), Tommy Smith, Dickinson and Lungu (all Riddlesdown), Johnstone (Edenham), John Kabula (Haling Manor), Gubby (Whitgift), Bryant (St Joseph's), Abbot (Shirley), Sunday (Archbishop Tenison's), Antwi (Harris CTC), Williams (Ashburton) Ogoloma (Coulsdon)

Brighton Schools' U13s 1 Croydon Schools' U13s 4 (26th January)

Croydon Schools' Football Association's first-ever visit to Brighton & Hove Albion's ground - the Withdean Stadium  proved to be a memorable occasion for the Croydon boys, as they secured an impressive 4-1 score line and a place in the semi-final if the South-East England Wimbledon Challenge Trophy, on Saturday morning.

After soaking up early pressure from the Brighton boys, Croydon hit the goal trail in dramatic fashion, netting four times in a blistering seven minute spell, midway through the first half.

Matthew Sunday (Archbishop Tenison's) set Croydon on the road to victory, getting on the end of a great ball over the Brighton defence. Two minutes later Zikki Lungu (Riddlesdown) made a good run down the left and squared the ball for Nathan Antwi (Harris) to make it 2-0 as he shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Croydon piled on the pressure and Brighton had a torrid time as Croydon grabbed two more goals through Riddlesdown duo, Haydn Dickinson and Jordan Martin.

Brighton notched what turned out to be a consolation goal to make the half-time score, 4-1 in Croydon's favour.

It was a much more even contest after the interval. Croydon goalkeeper, David Earl (Shirley) was in confident mode whilst at the other end Antwi went close and Derek Tieku (Riddlesdown) saw his shot rebound from a post.

Goal scorers
l to r: Nathan Antwi, Haydn Dickinson
Matthew Sunday, Jordan Martin

Croydon's managers, Paul Langan and Jack Vass, said

"Croydon battled from start to finish, and were worthy winners, with outstanding performances in defence, able lead by Sam Findlay (Riddlesdown)"

Croydon will travel to meet the winners of the Swale v Dover tie.

Croydon Schools' FA Under 13s v Brighton on 26/01/08

Croydon squad:  David Earl (Shirley), Tommy Johnstone (Edenham), Tommy Smith, Jordan Martin, Sam Findlay, Derek Tieku, Haydn Dickinson, Zikky Lungu (all Riddlesdown), Daniel Ogoloma (Coulsdon), Nathan Antwi (Harris), Matthew Sunday (Archbishop Tenison's), Marlon Ralph (Selsdon), Aaron Abbot (Shirley), Jerome Williams (Ashburton), Marcus Perkins (Royal Russell)

North Kent U13s 3 Croydon U13s 5 (24th November)

Croydon Schools' Under 13s had to battle hard for this 5-3 win in an English Schools Wimbledon Cup tie against North Kent at Cleeve Park School, Sidcup on Saturday morning .

Croydon twice trailed in the first half, but went in 3-2 at half-time.

Jerome Williams (Ashburton) had a splendid match, scoring twice and laying on a goal for speedy skipper, Derek Tieku (Riddlesdown).

Two late goals from debutant Matthew Sunday (Archbishop Tenison's) clinched a place in the quarter final, away to Brighton.

Croydon Schools' FA Under 13s v North Kent on 24/11/07

Croydon squad:  David Earl (Shirley), Sam Findlay (Riddlesdown), Marus Perkins (Royal Russell), Oluseyi Obaye-Daley (Whitgift), Haydn Dickinson (Riddlesdown), John Kabula (Haling Manor), Jerome Williams (Ashburton), Aaron Abbot (Shirley), Matthew Sunday (Archbishop Tenison's), Derek Tieku (Riddlesdown) Marlon Ralph (Selsdon), Tommy Smith, Jordan Martin (both Riddlesdown), Nathan Antwi (Harris CTC), Daniel Ogoloma (Coulsdon), Andrew Bryant (St Joseph's)

South London Schools U13s 5 Croydon Schools U13s 2 (29th September)

Croydon U13's were involved in a trial game v Blackheath Schools at Eltham last Saturday, looking to work out the squad for the season. The game was broke into three 30 minute periods and Croydon showed some very positive signs. The first period finished 1-0 to Blackheath, with both sides creating a few chances, but good defending from both ends kept the goals down. Croydon made 9 changes for the second period and Blackheath looked a solid and determined outfit for the duration. They created several chances, but Croydon goalkeeper David Earl (Shirley) made a couple of good saves to keep them out. Eventually, some sloppy defending allowed Blackheath to score twice, ending the second period 2-0.

Croydon again made many changes, and this time they came out looking good. Croydon scored early on through Scott Smith (Riddlesdown) and added another minutes later, when Sam Findlay (Riddlesdown), scored from a corner.

Croydon dominated for the majority of the half and then made some changes. The last ten minutes were fairly quiet until Blackheath piled on the pressure, forcing Croydon to concede two tame goals, ending the third period 2-2 and the final result 5-2 in Blackheath's favour.

Croydon Squad:  Earl (Shirley), Bishop (Royal Russell), Findlay (Riddlesdown), Tommy Smith (Riddlesdown), Johnstone (Edenham), Daley (Whitgift), John Kabula (Haling Manor), Lee (Archbishop Tenison's), Martin( Riddlesdown), Perkins (Royal Russell), Abbot (Shirley), Tieku (Riddlesdown), Bryant (St. Joseph's), Antwi (Harris), Sunday (Archbishop Tenison's), Grandison (Woodcote), Ogoloma (Coulsdon), Williams (Ashburton), Smith (Riddlesdown), Ralph (Selsdon)

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Wednesday, 27 August, 2008

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