Croydon Schools' Under-11s 5 Kingston Schools' Under-11s 5

Three goals by Kingston in the last 10 minutes of this Surrey Schools' Sydney Black league match at Croygas in Wallington on Saturday saw them rescue a point in a busy 5-5 draw, writes David Lomas.

Croydon, chasing their first league points, will be disappointed after going 3-0 up inside 12 minutes.

Michael Forbes (St Mark's) shot Croydon into the lead in the second minute as he lobbed the keeper before David Monckton (St. Peter's) scored from an acute angle to increase the lead five minutes later.

Forbes grabbed his second, and Croydon's third, in the 12th minute when he pounced on a loose ball 12 yards out.

In the second half Kingston reduced the arrears from a free-kick just outside the penalty area by Paul Nicholls (Malden Manor) but Croydon hit back within a minute to restore their three-goal cushion.

Nichols got his second to make it 4-2 12 minutes after the break but Croydon scored again three minutes later to make it 5-2.

With only 10 minutes remaining it looked as though Croydon might edge out the visitors but two goals in five minutes set up a grandstand finish. Kingston grabbed the equaliser following a hectic goalmouth scramble two minutes from time.

This Saturday Croydon under-11s travel to Carshalton to take on unbeaten Sutton in a London Schools' Crisp Shield tie which kicks off at 10.30am.

q Croydon's other district teams enjoy a half-term break until February 23. Although the under-14s have exited all three competitions, other Croydon sides have still a lot to play for. Croydon officials are looking to their unbeaten under-13 and under-16 sides to qualify for Cup Finals.

Last season Croydon enjoyed one of their most succesful seasons as their district sides reached 12 Cup Finals. That tally will not be emulated this season but there is every prospect of some notable successes.