SPORT IN BRIEF: Orpington kid lands top four finish at nationwide table tennis contest

Smith got off to a difficult start as he was beaten 3-0 in his first game by Jonny McMullan, who was the surprise package of the event and finished fifth.

But he won seven of his remaining games, including a win over number two seed Harry Dai in three straight sets, as he finished in fourth place at the end of two days of competition.

He rated his best performance as being against fifth seed Shayan Siraj, who he beat 3-0 (11-9, 11-2, 11-8).

The 14-year-old said: “I had a bad start to the first day but I played a lot better on Sunday. I relaxed a bit more.”

FOOTBALL: Erith & Belvedere are just two rounds from Wembley going into Saturday’s FA Vase quarter-final tie at home to North Shields.

But for one player it’s even more significant, as Deres midfielder Paul Springett was born in North Shields.

He said: “When we drew North Shields out of the hat, it brought back so many happy childhood memories and I was buzzing.”

It’ll be a tough task for the Deres as North Shields are the only remaining team from the strong Northern League, which has supplied five of the last six Vase winners.

But both teams have the wind in their sails and goal scorers with fearsome records – Alfie May 33 in 34 games for Deres, Gareth Bainbridge with 34 in 28 for North Shields.

A bumper crowd is expected for Saturday’s game at Park View Road, kick-off 3pm.

MUAY THAI: Sachin Daniels defeated Billy Chapman from Double K Gym in Bexley to land the WKA 32kg British crown.

The youngster, who is a member of Semtex Gym in Welling, now has nine titles to his name.

FOOTBALL: Charlton's FA Women’s Cup fourth round match against Crystal Palace Ladies will be played at The Valley on March 8 (2pm).

The south-east London rivals will fight it out for a place in the fifth round of the competition, where a tie against FA Women’s Super League sides such as holders Arsenal could await.

It will be the first time the women Addicks have played a competitive match at the stadium since they hosted Fulham in the FA Women’s Premier League National Division in November 2003.

Current club captain and lifelong Charlton supporter Kim Dixson was a 15-year-old ball girl at that match and is relishing the chance to play at The Valley.

She said: “I’m really looking forward to it. If we do it right and get loads of people down there, it’s a London derby so hopefully the Charlton fans will be rooting for us to win.

“It will be good to get as many people as we can there, give them a great show and do the badge proud.

“It will be a competitive game. They are not going to roll over and die, especially playing at The Valley, they are going to want to show that they can compete as well.

“FA Women’s Super League Two side Reading [subsequently disqualified from the competition] found it hard to break them down and only won 3-0 so it will be a difficult game, I’ve got no worries about that.”

Entry to the match is £5 for adults and £2 for concessions including Charlton Athletic season ticket holders.