Bromley Schools U14s 1
Croydon Schools U14s 2

A full-strength Croydon Schools' U14 side eased their way to a win over neighbours and rivals, Bromley Schools, in a friendly fixture on Saturday, writes David Lomas.

Goals by Tom Ince (The Archbishop Lanfranc) and Kierron Dias (Stanley Technical) in the last 10 minutes of the first half put Croydon well in control.

Croydon team managers, Niall Attenborough (Selsdon High) and Dave Millar (Haling Manor) made maximum use of Croydon's four substitutes in the second half, reshuffling the midfield line-up.

Bromley reduced the arrears 10 minutes from time but Croydon's resolute defence held firm and the outcome was another impressive win.

Croydon Schools U13s 5
Woking Schools U13s 3

Croydon Schools U13s were comfortable winners in an action-packed Surrey Schools' Wood Cup semi-final at Greenacres Sports and Leisure Club, Warlingham, on Saturday, winning 5-3, against visitors Woking Schools.

Croydon were in commanding form, scoring three goals without reply in the first half, against the wind and slope.

They passed the ball slickly and accurately, demonstrating impressive skills.

Sean Scannell (Ashburton) was on target after 11 minutes, latching on to a defence-splitting pass by Ben Mankelow (Stanley Technical).

The roles were reversed seven minutes later, when Mankelow scored, and within a minute it was 3-0 when Scannell showed fine individual skill, bringing down a cross with his left foot, and then scoring with his right, in one superb moment.

Mankelow grabbed his second and Croydon's fourth taking full advantage of a goalkeeping error.

Jonathan Doherty (Shirley), netted three minutes later and Croydon looked to be well on the way to a place in the final.

But Woking scored three times in the last 10 minutes. Croydon were relieved when the final whistle was blown by Ryman League secretary, Nick Robinson.

There are two Croydon Borough matches scheduled for Saturday, December 6.

The U11s travel take on Gravesham in an English Schools' Area Eleven Gills Shield tie, while the U12s entertain North Kent in an ESFA Patrick Haugh trophy match, at Greenacres, Warlingham (KO 10.30am).

Riddlesdown High School won the CSFA's Indoor five-a-sides U13 competition, 1-0 against Ashburton Community School, and Selsdon High School defeated Archbishop Tenison's School, 2-0, to win the U14 event last week at Monks Hill Sports Centre.

Croydon Schools' Football Association's U15s play an important cup tie on Monday, December 8, against Portsmouth Schools in the fourth round of the English Schools' FA's national inter-association trophy. The venue is Croydon Arena, South Norwood (KO 7pm).