When Charlie Wills shot Croydon into the lead after only five minutes of his side's South East Area Under 12 Patrick Haugh Trophy semi-final at Powerleague, Norbury on Saturday morning it looked as though Croydon were in for an easy time.

But visitors, Canterbury, equalised midway through the first half and then Croydon missed several goalscoring opportunities before a well-taken goal by Marc Elston (Edenham) in the last minute before half-time restored Croydon's lead.

Ben Kudjodji (Ashburton) was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet on several occasions and several dazzling runs by the lanky Hamze (Haling Manor) fizzled out when he seemed bound to score.

But in a rousing finish Elston grabbed his second, making it 3-1, with five minutes left. An “own goal” from a lucky rebound made the final verdict, 4-1, in Croydon's favour and booked them a place in the final, against Brighton Schools tonight (Thursday May 17) at the former Noble Lowndes ground at Warlingham, kick off 7pm.