THE MAN behind the takeover of Croydon Village Outlet, the former Allders department store, says he wants to bring it back to its former glory, though it would not be the 'new Harrods'.

Now officially called Zervo, the store was relaunched today, Black Friday, after a group of investors completed a takeover from flamboyant former owner Marco Cash on Monday.

Speaking to the Advertiser this morning, Clive Coombes, who is fronting the takeover, said he wants Zervo to have a "long-term relationship with Croydon", though refused to make grand promises like those of his predecessor.

"We're not gonna turn it into the new Harrods," said Mr Coombes. "Basically, it's always going to be one of the outlet sort of stores, with discount quality gear.

"We came here because it was an opportunity. It's a massive store to take on and the trading figures in the other stores nearby are really good.

"This is quite a low rent, so we can try and bring it back up to its glory."

Though this morning's 'relaunch' was slightly delayed after the building was evacuated because of a suspected gas leak yesterday afternoon, it was a low key affair compared to the opening of Croydon Village Outlet more than a year ago, with shelves restocked and 14 new staff taken on.

He said a non-disclosure agreement meant he could not say exactly how much was being invested in the store or by whom, but "significant capital" was available to invest in new stock.

The company running the store was no longer in administration after the buyout, he said, and work would be carried out in the coming weeks to repair escalators and replace the Croydon Village Outlet branding as Zervo.

Mr Coombes, who is originally from Southampton and says he specialises in the turnaround of insolvent businesses, was certainly more welcoming than his predecessor of the forthcoming Westfield-Hammerson development in the town centre.

While Mr Cash promised to bare his backside on the steps of Croydon Town Hall if the development opens on time, Mr Coombes said he definitely would not take up the commitment.

"I did laugh at that actually, when I read it, but it was very untactful."

Asked what he thought of Croydon Village Outlet's reputation, he did say it had been "very tainted" in the past, but expressed his hope the takeover could turn that around.

"We want to be involved very strongly here and we're hoping that when Westfields actually take over, we might move to a different unit, within that complex.

"At the end of the day, two years down the line, we'll have to see how its going. Hopefully we can get the turnover we need.

"We want a long-term relationship with Croydon, that's the idea, but we want to get the Zervo brand everywhere. Not just Croydon, we want to be nationwide in the end."

TWO brothers, aged 14 and 15, have been found guilty of stabbing two other teenagers in an unprovoked attack at the Whitgift Centre.

The boys, who cannot be named because of their age, were convicted on two counts of wounding with intent and one of violent disorder.

They attacked Glodi Mobwano, then 17, and his friends in front of horrified shoppers shortly after 6pm on January 14. Glodi, now 18, required hospital treatment for a punctured kidney after the attack.

The verdict was delivered this afternoon (Friday) after a trial lasting three and a half days this week at Croydon Crown Court.

During the trial, the jury heard how Glodi and two friends were set upon in a seemingly unprovoked attack by the defendants, from New Addington, while shopping at sports nutritionists GNC, on the second floor of the centre.

Glodi collapsed in a pool of blood after being stabbed and was saved by treatment from a passing member of the public - a qualified GP - who stemmed the flow of blood. One of his friends was slashed across the face.

The jury took around three hours, 15 minutes to unanimously find the youths guilty on each count.

More to follow.

In his exclusive Croydon Advertiser blog about life inside the X Factor house, Ben Haenow gives us the lowdown on juggling home and competition life, drinking champagne with the stars and bumping into Nick Knowles...

It's been a great week, I'm still living the dream.

I went to the Katie Piper Foundation party in London last night (November 27) and sat with Cheryl and Jean-Bernard. It was really cool, you expect it to be so awkward because you think "what have I got to talk about that these people are going to be interested in".

But I sat next to Jean-Bernard and after a couple of glasses of champagne everything was really nice.

We were chatting about my girlfriend, Jess, and he said family is really important to him.

He asked if Jess has been worried since I've been in the competition and imparted a bit of wisdom on how he's dealt with having such a high profile, lovely wife.

He told me his main concern is looking after Cheryl and making sure she's okay, they're obviously very loved up.

I said the exact same thing about Jess. My family and my girlfriend mean the world to me.

He told me the most important thing is to keep them in the loop and keep in touch.

Simon was there with Lauren, and Mel was there with her husband. It was just a really chilled out event and it was nice to just share some moments with them.

There was an auction but I didn't place any bids with the amount people were paying - it started at around £2,000. I'm sure if I'd have given Simon a nudge to front me some money he would have obliged!

There were so many people there, some people invited by the foundation and some celebrities. I saw Nick Knowles but I did have a couple of drinks so he's the only one I really remember!

This morning I went to Kiss FM for an interview. When I'm in the van in Croydon driving around all day I listen to all the radio stations, but I used to listen to the Kiss breakfast show every morning so being in there with them was really surreal.

I've been on the TV and the stereo, there's nothing else I can go on!

The rest of the week I've just been concentrating really hard on the songs. The public have chosen the jukebox songs and I'm singing Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran.

I'm really grateful to them for picking that song. I haven't done a contemporary number yet and I think they want to see me sing something a bit more modern.

The pressure is on, it's not just me picking a song it's the British public saying "we want you to sing this, don't let us down!"

Before this you couldn't let yourself think about the final, but now you can almost taste it. You keep thinking "what if".

I'm nervous, I never imagined I'd get this far in the competition. Andrea being in the bottom two last week proves that anything can happen. We're all a bit rattled by that.

I haven't got any strategies for dealing with the nerves. The drinks last night helped so maybe a night out with Jean-Bernard and everyone else would be good!

You just have to concentrate on the reasons you're here – to change your life and the lives of your family. You have to concentrate on the positives and use the nerves to your advantage.

Simon has told me to focus on my songs and concentrate. We really have to nail the performances now.

I'm going to come back to Croydon next week and try to get some of those Ben Haenow sausages so I'll give you some feedback on them when I get them.

NEIL Warnock says a number of his Palace players stay behind at the club's training ground in Beckenham to work on things.

After a main session with the boss and his coaching staff, players are either undertaking a personal fitness plan in the gym or work on specifics to improve their game.

Mile Jedinak scored a brilliant free-kick against Liverpool last Sunday but it initially looked like Dwight Gayle wanted to take it instead.

And Warnock revealed Gayle likes to practice dead-ball situations often.

"Mile doesn't practice them too much but one or two others do," said the boss.

"I thought Dwight Gayle was going to take it on Sunday because Mile's other one went off for a corner from the wall.

"I thought Gayley would take it because he's always taking them in training and looked very good.

"But thankfully Mile didn't listen to us! Dwight does work on them but they all do little extra things after training.

"They might do short sprints, and I see the midfielders doing the same and have a sort of programme in the gym.

"And then the strikers normally do a bit of shooting with Ronnie Jepson, so they've all been putting it in."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

A JUDGE has imposed extensive bail conditions on two schoolboy brothers convicted of a double stabbing - including banning them from holding a knife at a restaurant without adult supervision.

The boys, aged 14 and 15, were today found guilty of stabbing two teenagers in an unprovoked attack in Croydon's Whitgift shopping centre in January this year.

Recorder Judge Kenneth Hamer told the brothers the offences were "one notch below murder" and they would likely receive "substantial" custodial sentences.

He adjourned proceedings at Croydon Crown Court for a pre-sentence report to be drawn up, but not before deliberating extensively on whether or not to remand the brothers, who cannot be named because of their ages, into custody until they are sentenced.

The only reason he decided not to, the judge explained, was because of his concern that it would impact on their education, particularly as the older brother is due to take his GCSE mock exams in the next fortnight.

Instead he drew up an exhaustive list of bail conditions and warned them they would be immediately placed into custody if any were breached.

The brothers were given a nightly 7.30pm to 7am curfew enforced with an electronic tag, banned from all forms of social media and barred from entering Croydon town centre except to travel through by bus to get to school or to comply with the Youth Offending Team's assessment.

They also have to report to Croydon Police Station, in Park Lane, twice a week and were barred from carrying a knife or bladed implement in public - including while eating at a restaurant or café without the supervision of an adult.

They must also live at their father's house in Croydon and were ordered not to contact any witnesses in the case. 

Judge Hamer even wanted to include measures to compel the parents to ensure their son's complied, but was told he did not have the power. 

He told the brothers: "I'm going to grant you bail so you can continue with your current schooling, but these are serious and heavy conditions.

"If they are breached in any way at all then you will be brought back and you will be put into custody."

Earlier a jury had taken little more than three hours to unanimously find them both guilty of two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one of violent disorder.

They were part of a group of five youths who, armed with knives, attacked Glodi Mobwano, then 17, and his 16-year-old friend, at the shopping centre in Croydon town centre shortly after 6pm on January 14.

Glodi, now 18, suffered a punctured kidney after being stabbed in the back and his friend was slashed across the face and knifed in the arm.

The brothers, who lived with their mother in New Addington at the time of the attack, were convicted under the controversial joint enterprise law, allowing them to be charged even though it could not be shown they were the ones who stabbed the two boys. It was the prosecution's case that they were both, along with three others who have not been caught, "in it together".

The Advertiser can reveal, following the attack, police found a knife in the bedroom the brothers share. The jury were not told about the weapon because it could not be linked to the incident.

What the prosecution were able to establish was the defendants, who attend a school for children with behavioural problems, were part of a group who approached Glodi and another friend outside sports nutritionists GNC, which is on the second level of the Whitgift Centre.

They asked them "Got a problem?" before showing the two boys they all had knives. When they were told to go away, one of the group launched forward and punched Glodi's friend in the face.

A second friend, 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons, came out of GNC and was confronted by a small youth wearing a baseball cap, who slashed him across the face with a knife.

He described another boy running at him shouting something along the lines of "That's my brother" and then he was stabbed in his upper left arm.

Meanwhile Glodi felt what he thought was a punch in the back. He turned and saw a youth running off along with the other members of the gang.

Initially he was only concerned for his friend's wellbeing, but described to the court that his back began to feel wet. He put his hand underneath his t-shirt and found it was covered in blood.

He collapsed on the floor and was given first aid by a GP who happened to be passing by. Both boys, who gave evidence in court behind a screen, were taken to hospital where doctors found Glodi had suffered a punctured kidney.

CCTV footage picked up the brothers and three other boys running onto a bus outside the Whitgift Centre. A passenger overheard them speaking about the fight and later contacted the police. He subsequently picked both defendants out of an identity parade.

They were arrested on January 23 and, when police searched their bedroom, they found two caps fitting descriptions given by the two victims of their attackers. Video footage also showed the group on the bus wearing similar hats.

The brothers were interviewed by police but offered no comment to all questions. They also chose not to give evidence during the trial.

Giles Newell and John-Paul MacNamara, representing the older and younger defendants respectively, argued that, while their clients may have been among the group, neither victim had been able to identify them as the attackers.

Mr Newell accused Glodi of "exaggerating" that all the youths had knives while Mr MacNamara claimed his memory must have been "playing tricks" on him. As to why they had heard someone shout "brother", the barristers pointed out that any of the group could have been related and the word had several meanings.

Sitting beside their mother, and wearing shirts and ties, the brothers showed no emotion as the foreman of the jury read out the guilty verdicts. At one point their mother shook her head and put her hand on her youngest son's shoulder.

The court was then told the older brother, who will turn 16 next month, had two previous convictions for possession of cannabis and one of fraud.

When he was 12 he was given a reprimand by British Transport Police (BTP) for attempted robbery during which he pretended to have a knife while mugging a student.

His younger brother was convicted of battery in July 2013 and is awaiting sentence after being found guilty of intimidating a witness in another case via threatening Facebook messages, an offence committed while on bail for the stabbings.

Simon Sandford, prosecuting, told the court an application had been made to give both brothers Asbos which, if granted, will ban them from the Whitgift Centre and from fraternising with various named people.

He said: "It is the prosecution's case that they are gang members and these are other people with whom they commit offences of violence."

Judge Hamer said, due to the seriousness of the stabbings, it was "almost inevitable" that he would make use of additional powers to impose custodial sentences beyond the normal limit given to youths. "It's likely to be substantial," he added.

All matters, including sentencing and the Asbo application, were adjourned until December 23. 

YANNICK Bolasie says Palace have enough to cope with him and Mile Jedinak in January, when both play for their countries in international tournaments.

Bolasie is set to take part in the African Cup of Nations, while Jedinak will skipper Australia on home soil in the Asian Cup, kicking off on Friday, January 9.

It's a long way from the days of playing for Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle for Bolasie, who is now terrorising Premier League defences week in, week out.

"I feel like I'm improving all the time," Bolasie exclusively told the Advertiser.

"I am getting calmer in the final third and finding a lot of my team-mates. I am now getting results from that.

"Getting two goals for my country recently was special and also qualifying for the African Cup of Nations.

"It now means I might not be here to play for Palace in January but it is a tournament I was to play in as well, so it's a double-barrelled sword in a way.

"We still have a lot of players who can step in. James McArthur can come in and Joe Ledley's doing well, then we've got Wilf (Zaha) too on the wing.

"Let's not forget that the squad is good enough to cope."

Reflecting on last Sunday's impressive win over Liverpool, Bolasie revealed that some wise words from the senior players in the starting XI kept Palace believing.

That was evident, as it wasn't long after Rickie Lambert's goal after just two minutes that Dwight Gayle equalised – and Bolasie was "buzzing" for the frontman.

"When they scored an early goal, it starts to run through your head it could be long afternoon but we had leaders out there," he said.

"Mile Jedinak and Damien Delaney told everyone to keep calm and we managed to get a goal back not too long after.

"Gayley's a top striker, I was buzzing for him. I like it when he scores because we he does, he deserves it and he does well.

"He's had to wait because Fraizer has been doing well too. The competition in squad is really healthy and if you're not up for it, someone else is.

"Moving forward, that's the way it is. It was a great performance from the team and good to rectify what happened last season, to win it this time.

"We will need to dig deep again against Swansea and Aston Villa, but the win against Liverpool has given us confidence."

This full interview featured in Friday's Croydon Advertiser.

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

CRYSTAL Palace secured a good point on the road at Swansea City on Saturday with a gutsy performance, writes our Palace correspondent Mark Ritson.

After the hosts dominated the early stages, the Eagles hit back with Mile Jedinak's penalty

Neil Warnock's men had to defend more than they would have liked in the second half but still had chances on the counter-attack.

Here is what I thought of the players' performances, with marks out of ten. 

Julian Speroni - Made a couple of great saves in the second half. No chance with goal from Wilfried Bony's excellent finish. 7

Joel Ward - First game at right-back for ages. Was given tormented by Montero early on but grew into game. 6

Martin Kelly - Unfamiliar position at left-back at it showed at times. Mistake nearly allowed Wayne Routledge to feed Bony. 5

Brede Hangeland - Did well to clear what he could when the team were under pressure. Bony turned him very well for goal though. 6

Scott Dann - Very organised and commanding. The gaffer Neil Warnock told me he could get an England call in the near future. 7

Mile Jedinak - A tough day for the skipper following tragic news of Aussie cricketer Phillip Hughes. Great penalty to equalise. 7

Joe Ledley - Didn't get booed as much as we thought following Cardiff connections. Was tidy and put himself about well. 6

Yannick Bolasie - When he gets the ball, you expect a piece of magic. Nearly scored a stunner from out wide, hitting the crossbar. 7

Jason Puncheon - Needs a goal soon, with Wilfried Zaha breathing down his neck for a start. Is putting in the work though. 6

Marouane Chamakh - A mixed day for 'Cham'. Won the penalty but walked a tightrope with referee Martin Atkinson. 6

Dwight Gayle - So unfortunate to see him go off injured in first half. Hopefully nothing too serious. 5

Substitutes

James McArthur - Made the difference at a vital point of the match with Swansea well on top. Their rhythm stopped after his introduction. 7

Fraizer Campbell - Showed promise but didn't have any chances really. 6 

Wilfried Zaha - Not really enough time but did do well on a couple of occasions, beating his marker down the right and delivering. 6

CROYDON'S finest Ben Haenow is through to the X Factor semi-finals - and is now the bookies favourite to win the show.

The 29-year-old van driver, from Shirley, went through on the public vote on Sunday thanks to impressive renditions of The Beatles' Come Together and Ed Sheeran hit Thinking Out Loud on Saturday night's show.

Ben, who has been either second or third favourite to win since the live shows began in October, is now priced as short as 11/8 to win, ahead of second favourite Fleur East on 13/8.

The semi-finals take place next weekend, followed by the live final on December 13 and 14 at Wembley Arena.

CRYSTAL Palace midfielder Joe Ledley is hoping to get back to winning ways on Tuesday night against Aston Villa following the Eagles' 1-1 draw at Swansea City.

Ledley and his team-mates were penned in their own half for the opening 15 minutes, and the hosts' pressure paid off when Wilfried Bony put the Swans ahead with an impressive finish.

Wales international Ledley, formerly of Cardiff City, felt Palace had chances to win it in the second half after Mile Jedinak's equalising penalty.

And the 27-year-old has targeted three points back at Selhurst Park and potentially go three games unbeaten.

"We have a good little run now, we've been unlucky this season but Swansea is always a tough place to come," said Ledley.

"We knew we weren't going to get much of the ball but I felt when we counter-attacked we looked dangerous, but it was a big point for us.

"They started well and it took us a while, we didn't start as well as we'd liked to and we were a bit sloppy giving balls away.

"Once we got going I thought we were good. We didn't start well against Liverpool either, but it was a big confidence boost going to Swansea after winning that.

"We fought hard together as a unit and we hit them in the counter and we could have won.

"We knew they would press us and they have great attacking players. We did threaten out on the wings and on another day we could have come away with three points.

"It was fantastic to come away with one and we deserved something from it. We can't get carried away at the moment, we're still down the bottom and we need to pick up wins.

"We just need to keep going, similar to last year and manage to pull away. Hopefully we can kick on again and beat Villa on Tuesday."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

A MAN who broke into a priest's home and stole wine, whisky and cash donations for childrens' first communion and had called at the father's front door to ask for charity just weeks before, has been jailed for three years.

William Stanley, 40, of Selhurst New Road, denied burgling Father Patrick Cannon's residence next to St Dominic's Catholic Church in Violet Lane, Waddon on the night of June 10 this year, but he was found guilty by a jury at the Old Bailey on Thursday (November 27).

Giving evidence during the trial, Father Cannon said he did not discover the burglary until he and fellow church worker Lorenza Bellavia found a broken window and ransacked drawers in his meeting room on June 11.

He said six bottles of whisky, two bottles of wine, given as gifts, as well as money had been taken, adding: "The cash was in envelopes from parents and family members of children who were due to have their first Holy Communion. It was probably about £40 - £50."

Money collected for candles, amounting to about £20 in change, had also been taken.

Prosecutor Duncan Cooke told the court on Tuesday that a bloodstained tissue was found at the scene by Father Cannon.

Police forensics experts matched Stanley's DNA to the blood on the tissue, with the probability it was not his of one billion to one, he added.

When police arrested Stanley, around a fortnight after the burglary, he had a cut to his hand, Mr Cooke told the jury.

He said: "Stanley told police the cut to his hand had been from when he was working on bicycles.

"He pointed out the tissue was a moveable object and that must have got into the house somehow but not coming from him.

"He said he had been at the house before and had spoken to Father Cannon on a number of occasions."

Though Father Cannon said he did not know the name William Stanley, when police showed him a picture he recognised him as a man he had given charity to, but only once.

He said: "About a month before the burglary took place he came to my house. He knocked on the door and I had a short conversation and gave him a glass of water.

"He asked for some money so I gave him around five pounds in change out of my own pocket.

"That was the only time I've ever met him."

Speaking after Stanley was convicted, Detective Constable Simon Nicholls, from Croydon CID, who investigated the case, said:

"After we identified Stanley through the DNA evidence on the tissue, we discovered he'd previously visited the priest a few weeks before and had been given a glass of water and some coins by the priest after learning about his apparent hardship.

"The fact that he turned on someone that had offered him help and support and thought to steal from them is a terrible thing. He'll now be spending a considerable time behind bars where he will be able to reflect on his actions."

A 16-week prison suspended sentence previously given to Stanley for shoplifting was also activated.

CROYDON police have released a gallery of seven men they would like to speak to in connection with various unsolved crimes in the borough from the past few months.

The galley is the first in a three-week series released by the Met in the run-up to Christmas and officers have called on the public to help identify the men.

Detective Sergeant Jonathan Kent, who leads Croydon's Wanted Offender's Unit said:

"We're hoping that the public get behind us with this campaign in the run-up to Christmas and some of the people we want to find or identify are wanted in connection with some very serious crimes.

"This week is all about people we want to try and identify. All the images are taken from local CCTV footage and we need the public's help to tell us who these people are."

The men in the images are wanted in connection with a range of separate crimes, including theft, robbery, burglary and cash machine fraud in South Norwood between August and November.

They are also trying to speak to a man with regards to the theft of a Poppy Appeal collection tin from Danny's Fish and Chips in Old Coulsdon last month. Two schoolgirls collected more than £50 from friends to replace the stolen money on hearing of the theft.

"I think the people of Croydon will be absolutely appalled that somebody has stolen a Poppy Appeal charity tin and we are sure that there is somebody out there who knows who this person is," added DS Kent.

"I'd urge you to get in touch if you have any information on his identity or any of the other people featured."

Anyone with information about any of the seven people can contact police on 101, quoting the reference number shown on each image.

Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

CRYSTAL Palace boss Neil Warnock says Aston Villa have had to be shrewd in the Premier League like a lot of other but still believes they're a "massive" club.

Questioned at his pre-match press conference on Monday ahead of facing Paul Lambert's side on Tuesday, Warnock was asked if Villa were under-achievers in the top flight since 1992.

The Eagles boss, though, admits that with the pressures now in the Premier League, clubs can only think about themselves rather than others, too.

"The demands on you in the Premier League - look at how Alan Pardew has dealt with things at Newcastle recently," said Warnock.

"You just have to get on with it. I am not too bothered about teams, you just have to look after yourselves really.

"I just think the Premier League is money motivated. If you don't throw money at it, you stand still.

"Villa is a massive club. I covered a game last season there, and the tradition in the corridors, it's massive club.

"Unless you get someone like Sheikh Mansour at Man City, it's about please your fans in the best way you can.

"When you are at a club like Villa, you have to be shrewd. Players have to be value for money and clubs have to be run so they don't get into too much debt.

"But Villa are a massive club."

And Warnock wants a better start to tomorrow night's game following Saturday's match at Swansea City, where the hosts dominated the opening 20 minutes.

"We have to have a solid start. We have been gung-ho at times. I don't know what the stats are but after being a goal behind, the lads have been resolute and shown a lot of character."

Croydon Harrier Peter Chambers all but secured his place in the Great Britain junior cross country team after finishing runner-up at British trials in Liverpool last Saturday.

The UCL student was first Brit home in the U20 men's trial, second to Eritrea's Abel Tsegay. The first six guaranteed a place on the start line at the European Championships later this month in Samokov, Bulgaria.

In arguably the race of his life, the 19-year-old completed the 6.7km course in 20 minutes and 35 seconds. Club colleague Jake English was 96th in the 116 strong-field.

In parkrun action, Omar Harhara was first home at Riddlesdown making it two wins in as many weeks.

There was also double runners-up finishes for Alan Burn and Jessica Moore in the men's and women's categories at Lloyd Park.

At the Downs League, five Harriers were in action at Epsom Downs. Kyra Sethna McIntosh finished sixth U11 girl with Leanne Moore 14th. The pair lie seventh and eleventh respectively in the overall standings.

Isaac Flanagan finished tenth in the U13 boy's race, while Jordan O'Dongo (8th) and Jessica Moore (4th) enjoyed top eight finishes in the U15's competition.

At the Pirie 10, David Brown led the small Croydon contingent in 12th in a field of 113 finishers in 63 minutes exactly.

Neil Aikman (27th, 70:03), Colin Oxlade (55th, 74:16), Keith Brown (91st, 84:19) and Norman Hemming (102nd, 89:29) also completed the ten-mile cross-country challenge.

Last Friday, more than 130 people attending the club's annual awards dinner at Trinity School.

Double European gold medallist Martyn Rooney was in attendance, and he scooped the Jack Lisney Cup for the best Male over-21 performance for the fifth time in six seasons.

Hardworking official Carol Munns was awarded the Lisney Salver for Outstanding contribution for her many years of officiating and volunteering.

The Advertiser Shield for U17 women's cross-country went to Stevie Lawrence, and the John Matthews Cup for the U17 men's 3000m went to Omar Harhara.

Combined Counties League Division One

Banstead Athletic 0 Farleigh Rovers 3

Farleigh Rovers went five points clear at the top of the table following their fifth successive league victory last Saturday.

Barry Regelous' in-form side dismantled Jack Johnson's clearly shell-shocked fourth-placed hosts after another blistering display, sticking to their game plan to stifle Banstead's playmaking midfield with the perfect performance.

This game's turning point came after only nine minutes when experienced referee David Crick adjudged that Foxes' returning left back Gary Webb had fouled Charlie Gillard inside the penalty area, but Gillard's resultant spot-kick went wide.

Farleigh made the breakthrough on 51 minutes when Liam Neaves' deep free-kick from the left being met perfectly by unmarked returning captain Adam Cassim, who powered home his far post header.

Success was secured for the visitors after 82 minutes when Webb, Martin Smith and leading scorer Javon Henry combined superbly on the left for substitute Ellis Burke to shoot home at the near post.

Two minutes later, Foxes' terrific team spirit was evident again when man of the match midfielder James Brown found Henry, whose audacious 40-yard lob dipped just under the crossbar, leaving keeper Jordan Knight clutching at thin air before the visitors' party resumed again.

Following ten additional minutes and an unusually late finish, Foxes continued their celebrations in the clubhouse afterwards.

Foxes face successive Saturday home games next, against Chessington & Hook United and Sheerwater at Parsonage Field for 2pm kick-offs.

Combined Counties League Division One

Sheerwater 1-2 AFC Croydon Athletic

AFC Croydon Athletic bounced back from the disappointment of their home defeat against Ash United by recording a hard fought victory at mid-table Sheerwater on Saturday.

The Rams started brightly and from Danny Penfold's second-minute corner, Jordan Martin rose majestically at the back post to power a header home to put them one up.

Although the game was fairly even it was the Rams who posed the main threat with the pace of Aaron Agyeman and Josh Smith, while the home side looked vulnerable at set pieces.

This proved the case in the 23^rd-minute when Penfold delivered a perfect free-kick for Tayler Maddock to head home for 2-0.

If the visitors thought they were in for an easy afternoon they were mistaken and Daniel Burnett and his defence had to work hard to keep their goal intact.

The second half continued in the same vein, with Sheerwater searching for a goal but looking vulnerable to a counter attack.

The hosts were reduced to ten men but they still went in search of an equaliser.

The Rams held firm and even had a goal disallowed when Jordan Martin headed in but was adjudged to have climbed on a defender.

The Rams held on for an important win to lift themselves to second in the league, five points behind leaders Farleigh Rovers with two games in hand.

The Rams now turn their attention to the London Senior Trophy with a home game with Lewisham Borough (Community) FC, kicking off at 1.30pm. 

A MAN walked into Croydon University Hospital after being shot in the back yesterday.

Medical staff at the hospital called police after the 31-year-old arrived at the hospital at 5.30am yesterday (November 30) with a gunshot wound to his back.

He has since been discharged from hospital. It is believed the incident took place in Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath.

A police spokesman said the man had since been discharged and no arrests had yet been made.

Officers from the Met's Trident Gang Crime Command were investigating, he added.

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

CROYDON South MP Sir Richard Ottaway has branded the Chinese government "frankly ridiculous" after it blocked a delegation of British MPs from travelling to Hong Kong.

Sir Richard had been due to visit the former British territory in the third week of December, as part of an inquiry into the state of the Joint Declaration that paved the way for handover to China in 1997.

But a senior Chinese diplomat has now informed Sir Richard that the Chinese intend to block his group's visit, as tensions grow in Hong Kong, with more and more violent clashes between police and anti-government protesters in recent weeks.

Sir Richard, who is standing down as an MP at next year's General Election, has called for an emergency parliamentary debate into China's move.

"The Chinese Government are acting in an overtly confrontational manner in refusing us access to do our job," he said.

JOE Ledley admitted the reception from the Swansea City fans was not as bad as expected on Saturday following his Cardiff City connections.

The midfielder, who spent six years with the Bluebirds after coming through their ranks in 2004, may have been ready for heavy booing throughout the 90 minutes at the Liberty Stadium.

But in the end it was two other Palace players who got heckled slightly more following their second half introductions after their previous spells with Swansea's fierce rivals.

"It started off with some boos but to be fair I didn't get that much – I was surprised," said Ledley.

"I think Fraizer Campbell and Wilfried Zaha got more than me. It doesn't mean anything, I just went out there and tried to play my game."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

POLICE are appealing for possible victims to come forward after at least five sex attacks took place in Upper Norwood in the space of two hours on Saturday (November 29).

They say five women have come forward, four of whom say they were sexually assaulted, while another says she was the victim of an attempted sexual assault.

The attacks took place between 7am and 9am. None of the victims, aged between 22 and 44, needed hospital treatment.

Detectives from Croydon CID believe there may have been more women who were approached and assaulted, and are appealing for them to contact police.

They have arrested a 28-year-old man in connection with the attacks.

Anyone with information can call Croydon CID on 0203 276 2138 or 101. 

OUR Ben Haenow is the bookies favourite to win the X Factor - and it seems he has some high-profile backing too.

The 29-year-old from Shirley is being supported by the world's biggest boyband One Direction - so much so that they chose his first song, The Beatles' Come Together, on Saturday's show.

Then, on Sunday's results programme, both Ella Henderson and former X Factor boyband Union J said they wanted Ben to win the show.

Ahead of this weekend's semi-finals, Ben has moved to the top of the bookmakers' odds, priced 11/8 (Oddschecker) to win the show.

Fleur East is second favourite on 7/4, followed by Andrea Faustini on 5/1 and outsider Lauren Platt on 16/1.