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Palace boss: I was shocked at my senior lads

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CRYSTAL Palace boss Ian Holloway was disappointed by the performances from some of his senior professionals in Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Crawley Town. Despite dominating large parts of the first half, the Eagles found themselves a goal down at the break through Billy Clarke's close range opener. But Holloway, who was disappointed for nearly 2,000 Palace fans making the short trip down the A23, insisted it was just a "training session" for his side, with Crawley stepping up their fitness ahead of the League One campaign next Saturday. "It wasn't a very nice day and it wasn't a very nice training session to have to witness," he said after the game. "The boys will learn a lot from it, especially the young ones. "I was shocked at my senior lads because we had certain situations last year where I thought they would have remembered how to organise people to stop them playing out so comfortably in the first half. "I'm very disappointed, but more for the fans because I didn't recognise that as a Palace team – we didn't fight together or work together."Don't miss the full post-match video interview with Holloway either later today or tomorrow morning. Follow us on Twitter @AdvertiserSport and 'Like' us on Facebook at facebook.com/AdvertiserSport

Palace boss: I was shocked at my senior lads


Man's bright idea to buy threatened lamppost

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A HISTORY buff has offered to buy the antique lamppost outside his house in a bid to stop Croydon Council replacing it.

John Hickman, of Albert Road, South Norwood, is desperate to save the traditional light after spending thousands renovating his house.

He made the offer to the council about a decade ago but is now worried their streetlight overhaul could see his precious post taken.

Mr Hickman, a retired scientist, said: "I want to buy it because I don't want to see the council get rid of another part of South Norwood's heritage."

More than 50 houses in Albert Road have already seen their lampposts taken as part of the council's £49 million streetlight replacement programme. But Mr Hickman said the lamp dates back to the early 20th century and he cannot see the point of the programme.

He added: "It is in keeping with the area and a decent piece of street furniture. The lamppost is far better than these anodyne replacements we are getting.

"The council might make some money from the old ones in scrap iron but it doesn't need replacing. It works absolutely fine. I would even be willing to pay towards its maintenance."

The local historian, who regularly gives talks on South Norwood history, said the council was showing a stunning lack of respect for quality architecture.

He said: "They come and put a red cross on the ones they are getting rid of. It's like something from the great plague.

"They keep taking things of historic value away. If we aren't careful we'll become like a suburb of a third world country."

The controversial replacement scheme has met with stern opposition and last month police were called to Mowbray Road, in Upper Norwood, where angry workmen claimed they were being harassed by residents protesting against the lights' replacement.

Mr Hickman, who has lived in his house since the early 1970s, firmly supports the protest and first sent a letter to the council asking to purchase the post about eight years ago.

He claims he was told by a councillor it should be possible to buy the street furniture, which he would like to set up in his front garden.

Mr Hickman added: "It's a work of art and I am worried it will just be taken away from me one day when I'm not looking."

Man's bright idea to buy threatened lamppost

Mixed messages on Olympic legacy at Croydon sport clubs

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THE likes of Bradley Wiggins, Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis briefly made Britain do collective cartwheels when the London Olympics sparked into life one year ago tomorrow.

The Games were an unequivocal success that bathed the country in a positive light and, in Croydon, brought everyone together in support of our athletes and torchbearers.

But, in a term often repeated by British Olympic Association bigwigs, the sporting 'legacy' of the Games was imperative.

The hundreds of sports clubs in Croydon suggest the borough is already hugely enthusiastic about its sport.

Mike Fleet, coaching secretary of Croydon Harriers, testified to this, saying: "If anyone is in doubt about the Olympic legacy, they should come down to a Harriers meeting on a Tuesday night.

"There is barely a spot on the track and the interest is phenomenal. A lot of parents of younger children have told me their kids were inspired to come and have a go because of the Games."

Mr Fleet also said the Olympics has had a positive effect on athletes already at the club.

He added: "If you look at people like Elliot Safo, he's pushed on after the Games. He's near the big boys already and he's only 19."

Long jumper Safo claimed World Junior Championship gold last week and greater things beckon.

But in other sports where Team GB was not as successful, post-Olympic participation levels have not been quite as high.

Tony Hilton, secretary of Addiscombe Hockey Club and chairman of Coulsdon and Purley Badminton Club, said: "I don't think we've really had the bounce from the Olympics we expected.

"We haven't seen it at the hockey club and although there was a surge of membership at the badminton club, I think that is as much down to a slight economic upturn as anything else.

"At the Olympics, the hockey was one of the easiest things to get tickets to and although you could watch it on the red button, it didn't have the same media interest as the sports that took place in the big stadiums."

However, another sport that did not take place in a big stadium, Beach Volleyball, was a hit with the crowds at the games.

And Crystal Palace Beach Volleyball Club owes its entire existence to the games.

Abdo Chamali, a club volunteer, said: "We've had big groups of people here this summer, six days a week. The whole success of the club is down to the Olympics."

Mixed messages on Olympic legacy at Croydon sport clubs

Hospital to re-open after £11.1 million revamp

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PURLEY War Memorial Hospital will open to the public next week after a £1.1 million revamp.

The finished building will allow for 90,000 outpatient appointments a year and will deal with 80 per cent of the south of the borough's healthcare needs – up from 40 per cent.

The new building will open in phases with the physiotherapy and diabetic retinopathy clinics opening on Monday. Other services will launch in stages through August.

The redevelopment has made the building a base for local GPs.

Since October, the only service on the site has been the nurse-led Urgent Care Centre (UCC) for minor injuries and conditions.

All the out-patient clinics, therapy services and diagnostic services were moved to other locations during building.

The new development has created new out-patient and diagnostic areas and brought disused wards back into use for clinics and GP practice.

However, residents are still concerned about a shortage of parking. Just 40 spaces are included in the plans, despite an estimated 3,000 visitors a week.

The spaces are reserved for patients and ambulances – staff will have to park elsewhere.

Although the council and the NHS are in talks to reserve part of the multi-storey car park for staff, a decision is yet to be made.

Hospital to re-open after £11.1 million revamp

TRANSFER TALK: Palace linked with Arsenal flop Marouane Chamakh

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ARSENAL flop Marouane Chamakh is the latest striker to be linked with a move to Crystal Palace. The 29-year-old has failed to make the grade since joining The Gunners three years ago and was farmed out on loan to West Ham last season - another unsuccessful spell. However, according to The Sun, Ian Holloway is a big fan of the Moroccan target man and could look to take him to Selhurst Park on loan. The Eagles boss last week admitted he'd looked at 60 strikers in the close season but so far just one - Dwight Gayle - has joined the club. The likes of Carlton Cole, Peter Odemwingie and Charlie Austin have also been linked with moves to SE25.

TRANSFER TALK: Palace linked with Arsenal flop Marouane Chamakh

VIDEO: Palace boss hoping to finalise deals this week

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CRYSTAL Palace boss Ian Holloway says he and co-chairman Steve Parish will be looking to "finalise" new arrivals today after admitting a number of deals broke down last week. The Eagles manager, who fielded a trialist at Crawley Town on Saturday, believed to be Bolton Wanderers target Jeremy Bokila, admits his side could struggle if they don't get the further quality required to stay in the Premier League. "There are lots of deals we're trying to do and they all break down for all sorts of ridiculous reasons," said Holloway. "Unfortunately, that's not my job, I can just identify players, and why they break down is not common knowledge and it's so easy for deals to break down. "My job is to try and find people who can help my squad this season, and that's what I'm doing.SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO "It's all about getting together and I need to get some players in. The chairman and I have got to sit down on Monday and try to finalise some of these deals or move on, because we are playing catch-up. "I've got to name a 25-man squad, we started later than everybody else. We've lost two of our main team that actually got us there in the first place. "Unfortunately, we're at the standard that is pretty relentless, so I'm trying to get ready for it and so is everybody at Palace, trying to get the ground ready. "We've bought the training ground as well, so we've had a lot on our plate and just try to settle down. "We had a fella turn up on the morning (before Crawley Town) for us to look at, so that's where we are at the moment. "I apologised to him for putting him on in the second half for such a young team, who had to witness the first team do not what I wanted. "He thought he was signing for someone else yesterday (Friday). "He's ended up playing for us – all the plans we've had, my lads see someone else coming here and they think who he is, and it's all just uncertainty. "If I'm totally honest, I'm ready to expect this and until I've dotted the i's and crossed the t's, we are going to be struggling."WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH HOLLOWAY HERE

VIDEO: Palace boss hoping to finalise deals this week

AFC Croydon Athletic boss: The aim this year is promotion

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AFC Croydon Athletic had a lot to shout about in the first season as a newly-formed club. Having built a side from scratch this time last year, they finished an impressive eighth in the Combined Counties Division One. But lifting their first piece of silverware after nine months thanks to a 5-0 win in the Lemon Recordings Challenge Cup was a huge achievement for manager Ant Williams and his players. With the club looking to kick on and push for promotion to the Premier Division, interest in joining the club has risen, with a number of players attending a pre-season trial recently in a bid to impress Williams. "More than 60 players turned up, and from that we selected ten, who were invited to attend our pre-season schedule to have a closer look at," the boss told the Advertiser. "Considering we only formed last season our attraction and name has continued to spread across the local community. "The quality has been good and much better that we got to see last year. I think our successes last year definitely helped, plus I have managed to secure a couple of players who will continue to add extra quality to our squad. "I do not want to make wholesale changes to the squad, just add a couple with experience, which I felt we were missing on occasions last season. "Not having a playing budget is challenging, especially with so many local sides all fighting it out for the best local talent. "We would still like to hear from people interested in helping support the football club and we're hoping our return to Mayfield Road will help continue to raise the profile of the club and attract sponsors, which is definitely needed at non-league level." Winning the cup was something Williams admits "exceeded" the club's aim after one season, but he has eyes on winning promotion now, especially with the league reduced in numbers. "If I'm honest, I wanted promotion and perhaps may have been slightly optimistic in achieving that goal," he said. "To achieve silverware in our first season probably exceeded most people's expectations, so to walk away with an empathic win in the final rewarded all the hard work that had been put in by the players, board, supporters and my management team. "The aim this season is without doubt promotion, which I would think would be the aim of the other sides in our league. "And the numbers in the league has been reduced this season, so three teams from 16 really does give us a good chance. "The chairman also thinks it's an important season both on and off the pitch, particularly with our intention to return to Thornton Heath as soon as possible. "We both share a desire to be successful." And Williams has a message to any new players thinking of joining the club too. "AFC Croydon is very well run by great and honest people, who are working tirelessly to move the club through the leagues as quickly as they can without taking financial risk that would jeopardise the longevity of the club. "It's a special project, and with the club looking to return to Mayfield Road as soon as possible, which is, in my opinion, the best ground in the league, why wouldn't players want to be part of that?"

AFC Croydon Athletic boss: The aim this year is promotion

Croydon Juniors Football Club gets energy boost after town restaurant opening

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THE largest expanding falafel restaurant group in the world, Just Falafel, arrived in Croydon at the weekend, offering locals an exciting new range of fresh, delicious and highly nutritious falafel wraps, soups, salads, sides, dips and drinks. And the opening also marked the start of an exciting new partnership between Just Falafel Croydon and Croydon Juniors Football Club, as the branch has announced they will sponsor the club's first team and provide brand new kits for the new season, and complimentary falafel-based meals. The brand new 1,000 square-foot restaurant located at Norfolk House on Wellesley Road, opened its doors on Saturday and created more than 50 new job opportunities for the local community, as part of a four-year plan to open four outlets in the Croydon area. Croydon Juniors FC, based at Croydon Sports Arena in South Norwood, was set up 25 years ago by Croydon locals Sally and James Maher, and it has been going from strength to strength ever since, encouraging boys and girls to get active and out on the pitch from a young age. And the first team won the 2012 Croydon Municipal League and reached the semi-finals in the local Surrey Cup. Just Falafel UK & Ireland CEO Michael Biggins, said: "We're also delighted to be supporting Croydon Juniors Football Club and look forward to seeing if the 'falafuel' energy boost will help to keep them on top this season. "This is the first restaurant we are opening outside of London and we are really excited to bring our healthy street food concept to a wider audience. And club chairman James Maher added: "We are so pleased Just Falafel Croydon approached us to become our official first team sponsor for the upcoming season. "The brand new football kits and free falafel will certainly give the team a fantastic boost. "It's always great to see local businesses supporting young people playing sport in the local community and helping them to keep fit, healthy and active." To celebrate its first Croydon restaurant opening, the restaurant will be hosting a 'Fala-Football Challenge' today from 12.30pm, where Croydon locals can put their table football skills to the test and have a chance to win a free lunch. The challenge will let Croydon Juniors Football Club put their skills to the test against local falafel-lovers, and give locals a chance to showcase their table-football talents in return for a delicious and nutritious reward.

Croydon Juniors Football Club gets energy boost after town restaurant opening


CUT THE CRAP: Surrey Street Market is beating heart of borough

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IN THE Advertiser's Cut the Crap campaign, we fight back against lazy stereotypes of Croydon as highlighted by the town's recent entry in a book on Crap Towns. In a series of features on all the things that make Croydon great this week we look at Surrey Street Market.

NO trip to Croydon would ever be complete without a stroll through Surrey Street market.

The market, which has been open six days a week since 1922, is home to all manner of traders and their wares.

Situated in the heart of Old Town, the street is set for a significant portion of a £100,000 investment from the Portas Pilot Town scheme.

The money could breathe even more life into the old market, which is still one of Croydon's most recognisable and lively spot.

Bill Holden, 80, is celebrating his 60th anniversary working at the market, and is affectionately known as "grandad" by the men who work in the basement of Surrey Street car park, where most of the market equipment is kept.

He has seen a lot of changes since starting out in the early 1950s, but still helps out in the basement.

Bill said: "It's been good to me. I'm looking forward to that money coming in but we do all right here. People from Croydon seem to like the place. We all help each other down here."

The narrow street is mainly home to fruit and vegetables sellers, but a variety of different stalls come and go on different days.

Roz, 60, works on a flower stall at the top of Surrey Street that has been in the Lovett family since 1897.

She thinks the secret behind the market's enduring success can be traced to the products it sells.

Roz said: "People will always want fruit, vegetables and flowers. That is how stalls like this are still here.

"You can come down here and buy as much or as little as you like. It's also got a great atmosphere.

"Even in the winter when it is cold, people still come here."

Phil Elton, 61, of Croydon, said he thought old-fashioned markets like Surrey Street should be cherished.

He added: "You can't beat the hustle and bustle of a nice summer's day on Surrey Street.

"The fruit and veg is all fantastically cheap, it's lively and then, to top it all off, you can go for a lovely pint in a pub like The Dog and Bull. Perfect."

CUT THE CRAP: Surrey Street Market is beating heart of borough

James Scott powers Purley home to much-needed victory

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PURLEY travelled to Walton on Thames last weekend sitting just above the relegation zone and desperately needing a win to gain some breathing space. Purley won the toss and elected to bowl first on what looked a bowler friendly green wicket. Adam Kelly started well and in the second over found the edge of Patrick Haddow caught behind to Lara. However, Green and Grant moved the score on quickly putting away anything short. Debutant Imran Khan joined the attack for Purley and immediately started to exert some pressure with a consistent spell of controlled seam. By the time drinks came around the run rate had dropped from 7 an over to just under 4, but with only one wicket having fallen Walton were still in a commanding position at 99-1. After drinks the Purley spinners, Razi Khan and Bowry, were introduced and this yielded an immediate result when Grant was caught for 59 off Bowry. Matthew Haddow was next to the crease and playing some flamboyant shots increased the pace of the innings. Green was eventually dismissed for a well played 87, lbw to Khan who finished with figures of 3-85. Walton skipper M.Haddow declared on 272-5 off 52 overs, remaining unbeaten on 73. With 273 required for victory the Purley openers Patel and Cott took to the wicket but batting was difficult. Walton took the old ball and the combination of spin and seam proved effective. Cott was the first to fall being caught trying to clear the in-field. Lara joined Patel at the crease and slowly they began to build a partnership. With the score on 56-1 after 21 overs, Purley needed to change gear to have any chance of winning. The introduction of the new ball saw a flurry of boundaries and soon both Patel and Lara passed their half centuries. They were soon on their way to the pavilion, however, as first Patel was bowled playing an attacking stroke to Monk and then Lara was caught in the deep going for one 6 too many. This brought Nav Chaudhry and latterly James Scott to the crease. Chaudhry had already played some fantastic shots and when he was joined by skipper the runs were flowing. In a moment of madness Chaudhry was needlessly run out and the game looked to be slipping away. Scott put the incident behind him and continued in dominating form. Bowry came and went adding a quick fire 20 followed by Harry Hanford. The 16-year-old Whitgift School player did not disappoint giving strike to Scott whenever possible and adding some power hitting of his own which included a huge six over square leg. When Hanford was dismissed for 23 Purley needed 19 to win with 3 overs remaining. I.Khan was bowled on the last ball of the penultimate over but with the rain beginning to fall and the light diminishing rapidly Scott guided the ball down through third man for 4 to win the game for Purley. Scott finished the game with a 53 ball 78* including 3 sixes and 7 fours. Purley face Cranleigh next week and will hope to carry forward the confidence from this victory.

James Scott powers Purley home to much-needed victory

Palace set to decide on Osman Sow and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie

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CRYSTAL Palace assistant boss Keith Millen says trialist Osman Sow is someone he and Ian Holloway will have in their 25-man Premier League squad - if they decide to offer him a contract. The 23-year-old has been training with the Eagles this summer and Millen stressed a deal will only be offered if the player can prove he has different quality to what they already have. "The trouble with some trialists is they're not fit, and when they do come in, you've got to get them fit before you can make a decision. "We've got two in at the moment in Quincy Owusu-Abeyie and Osman Sow, so I expect us to make a decision soon. "Osman has done OK and we're trying to work out how he would fit into our style of playing and shape. "He's 23-year-old, so he's not like 20 where we can put him into the U21 squad to develop, he's one that if we take on, would come into the first team squad. "We've just got to work out if he is something we haven't got already to improve us."

Palace set to decide on Osman Sow and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie

AFC Croydon make three signings after impressive Redhill draw

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Pre-season FriendlyRedhill 1-1 AFC Croydon Athletic AFC CROYDON Athletic brought the curtain down on their pre-season schedule with a hard fought but thoroughly deserved draw at Ryman Division South League new boys Redhill on Saturday. The game was keenly contested and after a slow start the Rams looked more than the equals of their higher league opponents. It was during the slow start the hosts took the lead with a fortunate goal, when a cross from the left pin-balled around before falling invitingly for a Redhill forward, who tucked the chance away. After this set-back Croydon came more into the game but couldn't find an equaliser. Redhill were generally contained but they did hit the crossbar just before half-time which could have doubled their lead. The second half saw the Rams get on top but they couldn't find the net. Daniel Penfold was very unlucky when his curling shot slammed against the bar having left the goalkeeper stranded. The Rams never gave up and in the last minute it was Penfold again who took the ball from a free-kick and fired at goal. The Redhill goalkeeper couldn't hold on and Colin Harvey reacted quickest to fire the ball into the roof of the net. AFC Croydon turn their attentions to this Saturday's opening league fixture against Bedfont & Feltham at Croydon Sports Arena (3pm). Meanwhile, boss Ant Williams has added three new signings to his squad. Chris Head has committed to the club having played in several of the friendlies in the pre-season. Danny Arkwright, a six-foot-five centre-back, can count Whyteleafe, Corinthian-Casuals and Sutton United among his previous clubs. And returning to the Rams is Jordan Martin, who made seven appearances last season and will no doubt be looking to secure a place more regularly in the starting line-up.

AFC Croydon make three signings after impressive Redhill draw

Crawley Town rescind Prendergast ban following Holloway abuse

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CRYSTAL Palace manager Ian Holloway was a victim of abuse from the chairman of the Crawley Town Supporters Alliance Club throughout Saturday's pre-season friendly in West Sussex. Hours later, Paul Prendergast resigned from his position and was hit by a four-match ban at the Broadfield Stadium after Holloway made a complaint to Crawley Town staff. It had been a testing 48 hours for Holloway after seeing a number of transfer deals fall through, while the 3-0 defeat to Crawley only fuelled tensions further. However, it has emerged this afternoon the Reds have decided to rescind the ban and Prendergast has agreed to move to another area of the stadium after further discussions with the Supporters Alliance and an appeal. A statement from Prendergast reads: "I have always wound up the opposition manager from my seat behind the dugout, but on this occasion perhaps I went too far. "Mr Holloway has gone on record as stating it had been the most stressful week of his managerial career and I may have helped to tip him over the edge. "That was never my intention, I am extremely embarrassed about it and I am mortified that I caused embarrassment to my football club. "Crawley Town is a massive part of my life. I am a committed supporter and very passionate about my team and they have enough to deal with preparing for the new season without this. "I have spoken to co-owner Susan Carter and apologised personally and I just want to forget the incident. "I have stepped down from my position with the Supporters Alliance and just want to get back to watching football, though perhaps with a slightly more reserved approach in future."

Crawley Town rescind Prendergast ban following Holloway abuse

Cray Wanderers 0–3 Palace: Young Eagles include England U18 star in pre-season victory

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CRYSTAL Palace U18s were comfortable 3-0 winners against Ryman Premier League side Cray Wanderers this evening. No first team players were included with a view to this weekend's trip to Ireland to face Waterford United, but fans got the chance to see Reise Allassani, who had trained with Ian Holloway's squad in Portugal a few weeks ago. Included in the Eagles' line-up was Jesse Starkey, an England U18 international recently released by Chelsea, and he took place in the middle of the park alongside Jermaine Smith. Cray were certainly up for the game in the opening stages, with much of the play coming down the left side to fire an early warning sign to the young Eagles. Elliot List provided the first spark for the visitors, making surging through the Cray defence but he was thwarted by the home goalkeeper. And then he managed to win Palace a penalty after he was tripped just inside the box following good hold-up play from Allassani. But Jake Grey saw the spot-kick saved with ease. Starkey looked tidy and assured in the middle, spraying a number of passes from left to right. But Cray were inches away from taking the lead midway just before the half-hour mark when their striker smacked the crossbar with a powerful header. They also went very close with another header which sailed a foot wide from a corner. However, Palace took the lead after 38 minutes when List burst through the middle, rounded the Cray goalkeeper and angled a shot home despite the best efforts of a back-tracking defender. Palace doubled their lead on the hour-mark when substitute Ambrose made a good run down the middle, and despite Wanderers' best efforts to clear their lines, Grey was on hand to fire the loose ball into the empty net. And two minutes later Palace grabbed their third of the evening thanks to Allassani, who tapped home into an empty net following a good save from the Cray goalkeeper. There should have been a fourth soon after when Gray nicked the ball off a hesitant Cray defender, squared to Palmer, who looked for a way through but instead squared the ball back across to Grey whose shot was cleared off the line. The hosts deserved a goal for their efforts and went close late on, again rattling the crossbar through a thunderous volley from a cross-field pass. A number of further changes were made by the Palace management to give run-outs to the full squad, and first year scholar Kyle Spence went closest with the final chance of the game when he danced his way through the home defence but was denied by a fine save. Palace U18s: Gregory, Wright (Egbo), George (Berkeley), Khinda-John, O'Dwyer, Smith (Kennedy), List (Ambrose), Starkey (Hoare), Palmer (Mohammed), Grey, Allassani. Attendance: 576By Croydon Advertiser Sports Reporter Mark Ritson

Cray Wanderers 0–3 Palace: Young Eagles include England U18 star in pre-season victory

Surrey draw Somerset in T20 quarter-final

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SURREY will host Somerset in the Friends Life t20 quarter-finals on Tuesday, August 6. Surrey booked themselves a home quarter-final after thrashing Essex Eagles by 61 runs at Chelmsford tonight (Wednesday), a result that guaranteed them second place in the South group. And in the draw that followed, Surrey were handed a home match with Somerset Sabres, with the match starting at 4.15pm at the Oval on Tuesday as the two sides do battle for a place at Finals Day at Edgbaston on Saturday, August 17.

Surrey draw Somerset in T20 quarter-final


Robertson alert to save podium place

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QUICK-THINKING Charlie Robertson managed to salvage his sixth podium finish of the BRDC Formula 4 Championship season at Brands Hatch over the weekend, after a gear-shift problem robbed the youngster of victory in round 13.

For the second race meeting in succession, the Whyteleafe teenager encountered all sorts of misfortune.

Despite the rostrum finish in the opening race on Saturday afternoon, which he sealed even though stuck in fifth gear, the return to Robertson's 'home' venue wasn't an altogether happy one.

His pace was expectedly strong from the off, with the HHC Motorsport driver setting the second fastest time in free practice, then lapping third quickest in qualifying for the opening race – just a couple of hundredths of a second shy of the front row of the grid.

Making a terrific getaway from the inside of the second row, Robertson climbed into second place and ran close behind pole-qualifier Jake Hughes for the first three laps before then making his intentions clear with the fastest lap of the race on the fourth tour.

Into lap five, just 0.068 seconds split the pair across the line and Investigo-backed Robertson continued to apply pressure.

However, any hopes he had of challenging for the lead were thwarted when a recurring fault with the steering wheel-mounted paddle-shift resulted in Robertson being unable to shift up the box. Stuck in fifth gear, the 16-year-old wisely chose not to down-shift and instead nursed the car home to an eventual third place.

Early race leader Jake Hughes, also blighted with technical issues, finished fourth.

"Although taking another podium was good, it was really disappointing to have more problems," said Robertson.

"It's the second race weekend in succession we've lost crucial points due to car failures of some kind which is pretty frustrating. The team did a fantastic job with the set-up though and we definitely had the pace to win."

During the first of Sunday's two encounters, round 14, the MSA Academy driver lined-up in sixth place on the 'reverse' grid but a troublesome getaway meant he slipped to tenth position and faced a tough challenge thereafter.

On lap four though, an unfortunate excursion at Sheene Curve dropped him down to 19th place. He eventually ended in 18th.

As well as losing a potential win in Saturday's race, the knock-on effect of the troubles meant Robertson was unable to post quick lap times when the Yokohama tyres were at their best.

This impacted his starting position for race three of the weekend – round 15 – with the grid order for the final outing formed from each competitor's best race lap across the previous two encounters.

Robertson therefore started in fifth place and he quickly made progress into the top four part way around lap two. On the subsequent tour, however, he again ran off the circuit at Sheene, while chasing down a possible podium, but this time the excursion resulted in retirement.

"I've only got myself to blame really for the non-finish," he said. "The car did feel a bit loose at the rear but I made the mistake. It's been a bad weekend for the championship, we just need to put it behind us."

The results saw Robertson slip to fifth in the Championship ahead of the next three rounds at Silverstone (August 17-18).

Williams set to star for Leafe

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JOHN FOWLER is hoping to have opposition defences shaking like a leaf after signing former Crystal Palace and Colchester United striker Gareth Williams.

Williams will join his former Eagles team-mate Roscoe Dsane up front for Whyteleafe, a partnership that will strike fear in defences across Kent.

"Steve Kember said that Gareth is one of the best finishers he's ever seen. I think he will be a real asset to us this season," Leafe boss Fowler said. "He was one of our main targets, and with keeping Roscoe as well, that looks to be a great strike force.

"Funnily enough, Gareth and Roscoe have played up front together before for Palace reserves for a few games."

Williams made eight first-team appearances for Palace, and has also had spells at AFC Bournemouth, Cambridge United, Blackpool, Bromley, Ebbsfleet and Croydon Athletic.

And Fowler admits having players with such experience as Williams and Dsane in the side makes his job easier.

"It's like having managers all over the pitch," Fowler said. "On the touchline you can't always get messages across but players like Gareth and Roscoe can spot what needs to be done."

And the new Leafe boss is confident the pair will cause Southern Counties East League defences problems.

"I've been to watch a few teams in our league play to get an idea," explained Fowler, who previously managed Croydon in the Combined Counties League.

"I've been mainly watching the teams who finished towards the top of the league, and I think with our two boys up front, their movement will make life difficult for those defences."

Williams set to star for  Leafe

SANDERSTEAD SAILOR LANDS SENIOR DISABILITY SAILING ROLE

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A Sanderstead sailor has been charged with helping British sailing capitalise on the post-Paralympic buzz and getting more disabled people out on the water in the South East.
Wealden Sailability volunteer, Fleur Bryant, 30, has been appointed RYA's Sailability Regional Organiser for the South East, meaning she will work with target Sailability sites across the region in opening up even more opportunities for local people with disabilities to learn to sail and sail regularly. This includes co-ordinating activity between Sailability clubs and local special schools and youth and community groups.  

RYA Sailability is the national programme, run by British sailing's national governing body, which encourages and supports people with disabilities to take up the sport and helps clubs to develop facilities to deal with a wide and diverse range of abilities. 
Sailing is one of the few sports in which able-bodied sailors and disabled sailors can participate on equal terms, and Fleur is no stranger to working with Sailability, with her father, Brian Stanley, having originally set up the Wealden Sailability - previously Bough Beech Sailability - group, which is now based at Chipstead Sailing Club. 
Working full-time limited Fleur's ability to volunteer regularly but after going on maternity leave in June 2012 she has become more and more hands-on at Wealden Sailability. Now she is relishing the prospect of helping to bring more involvement in sailing throughout the rest of the region.
Fleur said:"The whole ethos of Sailability focuses on the acceptance that everyone is different and it's what each individual can do, not what they can't, that can be nurtured into a lifelong involvement in sailing. 
"Sailability becomes addictive as the benefit and enjoyment the sailors get is so clear for everyone to see, not to mention the enjoyment we all get as volunteers making that happen for them.
"There hasn't been a South East Regional Organiser for a while and I'm hoping I can move the region forwards. There has been tremendous success so far but I think we can go further. 
"I also want to focus on Youth disabled sailing as I believe there is a wealth of experience and enjoyment to be gained by kids with a disability being included within Youth sailing sessions. I hope by promoting inclusivity at all sailing clubs that it becomes the norm to see a wheelchair user, a blind or deaf child etc integrated into training groups alongside able-bodied children." 
One of the most recent success stories at Wealden Sailability is the group's new racing initiative that sees sailors racing every other Thursday lunchtime, which Fleur is heavily involved with. Fleur also helped prepared the Wealden entrants for the recent Access Class Association Traveller Trophy event held at Chipstead SC.
She added: "Sailing has the ability to level the playing field so much that it doesn't matter what your abilities are, everyone can race against each other. It's also been great to see the competitive spirit of the sailors and even better to hear they are having a post-race analysis afterwards! The sessions are becoming more and more popular and we're all really excited to see how it will all evolve."
For more information about RYA Sailability visit www.rya.org.uk/programmes/ryasailability or contact the Sailability team directly on 0844 556 9550 or at sailability@rya.org.uk  

SANDERSTEAD SAILOR LANDS SENIOR DISABILITY SAILING ROLE

Surrey star relishes chance to take on former side in T20 quarter-final

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ZANDER DE BRUYN is relishing the chance to take on his former club Somerset in the Friends Life t20 quarter-final. The 38-year-old starred with bat and ball as Surrey booked a home quarter-final with a crushing win over Essex at Chelmsford last night (Wednesday). And the draw paired them with Somerset, where he played between 2008 and 2010, with the game being the first of the four quarter-finals to be played at the Oval on Tuesday afternoon. De Bruyn said: "We're looking forward to that. They're a good side and they always play in Finals Days. "We played them before in a big game in the Pro40 [the 2011 final] so we know their players and we're looking forward to the game. "They're coming to the Oval where we play our cricket so we'll look forward to that. "Our crowds have been awesome this year and I don't expect anything less for that game as well." The South African made 39 from 39 balls as Surrey were dismissed for 165 and then took 4-19 in reply as the home side were bowled out for 104 as the visitors won a T20 match at Chelmsford for the first time. And de Bruyn said: "It's nice to come down to Chelmsford and win. "It's a hard place to come and play cricket and the crowd always let you know it so it's nice to be on the winning side coming down here. "It's also the way we won – it wasn't a close game, we beat them quite convincingly which is the way we're playing at the moment and taking that into the quarter-finals we're quite happy with where we are." De Bruyn was back up the order at number four and found himself at the crease in the second over, putting on 61 with Steve Davies and 49 with Gary Wilson, by far the biggest two partnerships of the match. And he was pleased to contribute with both bat and ball. "It's nice when I haven't been playing and batting up the order where I like to bat," he said. "It was good to get some runs and contributing with the ball as well. "But Twenty20 is that kind of monster, one day you can take four-for and the next day you get hit out of the ground, today it was good and I'm happy with that."

Surrey star relishes chance to take on former side in T20 quarter-final

U18s stroll to convincing win

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CRYSTAL Palace U18s were comfortable 3-0 winners against Ryman League Premier Division side Cray Wanderers on Wednesday night.

No first-team players were included with a view to this weekend's trip to Ireland to face Waterford United, but fans got the chance to see Reise Allassani, who had trained with Ian Holloway's squad in Portugal a few weeks ago.

Also included in the Eagles' line-up was Jesse Starkey, an England U18 international recently released by Chelsea, and he took his place in the middle of the park alongside Jermaine Smith.

Cray were certainly up for the game in the opening stages, with much of the play coming down the left side to fire an early warning sign to the young Eagles.

Elliot Long managed to win Palace a penalty after he was tripped just inside the box following good hold-up play from Allassani. But Jake Grey saw the spot-kick saved with ease.

Starkey looked tidy and assured in the middle, spraying a number of passes from left to right.

Palace took the lead after 38 minutes when List burst through the middle, rounded the Cray goalkeeper and angled a shot home despite the best efforts of a back-tracking defender.

Palace doubled their lead on the hour-mark when substitute Ambrose made a good run down the middle, and despite Wanderers' best efforts to clear their lines, Grey was on hand to fire the loose ball into the empty net.

And two minutes later Palace grabbed their third thanks to Allassani, who tapped home.

Palace U18s: Gregory, Wright (Egbo), George (Berkeley), Khinda-John, O'Dwyer, Smith (Kennedy), List (Ambrose), Starkey (Hoare), Palmer (Mohammed), Grey, Allassani.

U18s stroll to convincing win

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