SCHOOLS FOOTBALL: TOP CLASS OAKWOOD ARE RANKED BEST IN THE LAND
Oakwood Park’s under-16 football team top a rankings system used by 4,500 schools in England alone.
They are ranked No.1 in both the England and international charts on the School Sport website after winning all 14 matches so far this season.
Oakwood (pictured) have reached the last eight in both Kent cups and are also through to the quarter-finals of the National Cup, a competition they won in Year 9.
It’s the longest winning streak in the Maidstone grammar school’s history and teacher Steve Smith said: “They are the most talented and hard-working team I have ever coached in my long time at the school.”
The team are skippered by Evan Lewis, with Ollie Debnam the vice-captain.
Outstanding performers include top scorer George Robinson, Isaac Iandolo, who has the most assists, Carlo Gonzalez, who scored a vital goal against reigning Kent champions Ravenswood and goalkeeper Harry Gowers.
James O’Conor and Micky Mantle have played well in defence, with Emanuel Fanthome-Hodgson and Callum Bonnett impressing in midfield.
Tom Watson, Ben Jenkinson and Bevan Donohoe have also played important roles, as have Oscar Brookes and Alex Hopkins. Steve McKimm has moved to make loan defender Mitchell Nelson’s move to Tonbridge permanent until the end of the season. The Longmead boss confirmed his signing following the 3- 0 home Ryman League Premier Division win over Canvey Island on Tuesday night. McKimm said: “I think Mitchell’s best position is centre half and that’s where he wants to play. “He has come in, played four games and done well, is a threat from set-pieces and has been a good acquisition. He added: “I have worked with him before when I was coach at Sutton United and got him initially for a month because Jamie Day couldn’t give him game time at Welling. “Mitchell knew that and has taken a drop in wages to come to us. Nelson will cover for Sonny Miles who will be out for up to 10 weeks following a shoulder operation which McKimm says went well. Nelson limped off with a dead-leg in the second half against 10-man Canvey as two late goals by Alex Akrofi and Damien Scannell wrapped up the victory. Luke Blewden had put Tonbridge in front just past the hour. The Essex club lost defender Tambeson Eyong after two swift yellow cards either side of the interval. McKimm said: “We did well, the sending off helped but we looked comfortable and waited for the goals to come.” Tonbridge sit sixth in the table, bouncing back after the 2-1 home defeat by Staines on Saturday after Luke Allen’s late penalty miss. However, McKimm was still positive having watched the video since the weekend. He said: “We had a couple of chances, on another day the penalty would have gone in and we had one cleared off the line. It was just one of those games.” Tonbridge visit fourth-placed Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday. McKimm said: “They are a good side, have done well for a number of years, with plenty of success, getting to play-offs, only to fall at the last hurdle. “Manager Gavin Rose has got them playing the right way. It is going to be a tall order.” He hopes Nathan Elder and Nick Wheeler will be fit after missing the Canvey game with knocks picked up against Staines. Angels travel to Harrow Borough on Tuesday night (7.45pm).