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F O O T B A L L
Royal Russell Under 11
Football squad Dominic Bishop (GK) Chris Moseley Jordan Bobb, Ewen Stevenson, Adam El Saraany, Myles Watkins, Milo Hanifan, Ben Flint (Capt), Luke Turner, Connor Robertson, Luke Sheppard, Tuki Tayli. The team achieved so much this year and we couldn’t have done it without our brilliant coach, Mr Venier, assisted by Mr Swann, Miss Kerr and Mr Bicourt. The league started off on an OK note with a 2 – 2 draw against Parish Church, Connor Robertson netting the ball twice. The return fixture saw a completely different game as we were becoming an unstoppable team and beat Parish Church 7 – 0. Yet again, Connor Robertson got four, while Luke Turner, Myles Watkins and I got one each. We went on to beat Purley Oaks 6-0, Gresham 6-0, and Atwood 1-0. The whole season brought similar results, taking us to the top of the league table. We managed to stay there and became the proud winners of the Croydon Schools Shield at the end of the season. What a team – What a year! Ben Flint This season we managed to get all the way through, unbeaten, to the Champions’ League semi-final. We were St James the great. The game started off extremely tight, with both teams working for a place in the final. Halfway through the first half the deadlock was broken through Ben Flint with a cracking right foot shot into the bottom left-hand corner. Royal Russell was now in front. St James the Great came out after half-time fired up, but this proved not to be enough, as the Royal Russell back three, Chris Moseley, Jordan Bobb and I created a solid back line, with the midfield chipping in and helping. The full-time whistle blew and Royal Russell, once again, were in the final cup competition. Royal Russell were to face their toughest opponents yet, Beulah Primary School. The Royal Russell team went into the match very confident, their heads held high. By half-time, both teams had had a considerable number of shots at goal. It was a close encounter with some great saves at both ends. Both teams went into the second half fired up, and after just five minutes there was a quick scramble in the box. If it had not been for Chris Moseley and Luke Turner on the line, we would have gone 1-0 down. The teams were equally matched and as the final whistle was approaching, it was looking like extra time. Then, jut four minutes from time, a long kick from and me and determination from Connor Robertson caused Beulah to make a blunder giving us the lead and the victory. Although an own goal in any final could be considered disappointing, we deserved that little bit of extra luck. Dominic Bishop
With a bye in the very first round, Royal Russell’s cup run started at home, beating Monks Orchard by 3 goals to 0. Next, we were away to Park Hill. Before we knew it we were trailing 1-0, but we quickly found our feet with Adam El Saraany running in to make it 1-1. In the second half we brought Myles Watkins on for Adam. The sub quickly made an impact on the game, setting me up to give Royal Russell the lead. The game stayed quite tight with chances threatening at both ends, but both keepers kept their team in the contest. Two minutes from the end I managed to secure the win with a low and hard shot into the corner of the net. Royal Russell were now into the quarter-finals, where we met Greenvale at home. The game started off quite quickly with Royal Russell taking the lead when Adam El Saraany flicked a great ball over the keeper’s head. Straight afterwards, Connor Robertson volleyed an unstoppable strike to put Greenvale down 2 goals to 0. The Royal Russell defence was sold so nothing as getting through. In quick succession I headed home one of the best goals, followed by Luke Turner bursting forward from the left to put Royal Russell four up at half time. Nine minutes from the end, Jordan Bobb hit an amazing strike from just inside the halfway line…TOP CORNER! The last goal came four minutes form the end when I shot from outside the box to seal a six-goal victory. Bring on Roke in the semi-finals! The first half was a nail-biter with both keepers doing well to keep the scores level at half time. After the break, we came out a different team, scoring twice in the space of tem minutes. Luke Turner making it 1-0, followed by Myles Watkins hitting a cracker of a goal. Two minutes from the end I scored, giving us a 3-0 victory. We were now in the final away to rivals Whitgift. Both teams started well and worked hard. Our defence once again stood like a brick wall and soon came the reward. Five minutes after half time Adam El Saraany set Luke Turner off s run to put us a goal up. One minute from the end a penalty was handed to Whitgift and the taker made no mistakes. This meant extra time. Eight minute in Royal Russell bounced back when I beat three players and struck home a left footed goal. Royal Russell won the match and thee Croydon Schools Cup. This made Royal Russell history. Ben Flint
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