A goal in the first minute set the tone as Maidstone won the Kent Senior Cup for a record-extending 19th time.

On-loan Watford forward Michael Adu-Poku struck after just 58 seconds of the Stones’ 4-0 victory over Ebbsfleet at Hayes Lane on Wednesday night.

Sol Wanjau-Smith added a spectacular second as United, whose last success in the competition came at the same venue five years ago, dominated their National League opponents.

Hard-working Matt Bentley extended the lead before half-time and substitute Mo Faal wrapped up the win with a classy fourth deep into second-half injury time.

It’s a first trophy in management for Stones boss George Elokobi, after leading Maidstone to the FA Cup fifth round this season.

“It’s all about that winning mentality,” he said.

“A trophy’s a trophy. It builds, in small portions, what we wanted to do this season in terms of being competitive in every competition we are in and the Kent Senior Cup is no different.

“I take my hat off to our players, our squad and the management team for how we’ve gone about this competition but more importantly for the performance tonight.

“We were very effective, very controlled. It was a very mature performance from a very young group.”

Two of the best players on the pitch combined in the build-up to Maidstone’s early opener.

Youngster Sam Smith - superb on the left of a back three - played a ball down the flank for man-of-the-match Harry Kyprianou to run on to.

Kyprianou, named skipper-for-the-night, reached the byline and crossed to the back post for Adu-Poku to head home his first goal for the Stones.

Under-23s player Smith caught the eye with his composure at the back, winning every tackle, and he was always looking to play forward as United took charge.

He almost scored after losing his man from a Riley Court corner before Maidstone doubled their lead in the 10th minute.

There was a touch of fortune in the build-up as Wanjau-Smith’s attempted pass was cut out and arrived back at his feet - effectively a one-two with a Fleet defender.

But the finish was absolutely superb as the Stones forward bent the ball into the top corner from 20 yards.

He almost repeated the trick midway through the second half but this time hit the underside of the bar.

Fleet, who’d arrived home at 4am from a National League game against FC Halifax, named as strong a team as they could for the final.

Their starting XI included Greg Cundle, Craig Tanner and Omari Sterling-James, three players who’d been on the bench at Halifax, and they started to see more of the ball midway through the half, without creating a genuine chance.

Bentley might have added a third for Maidstone after goalkeeper Chris Haigh came out of his area, taking the ball past him but missing the target.

But he made no mistake in the second minute of added time, collecting a pass from teenage midfielder Riley Court - another excellent performer on the night - and producing a quality finish.

David Amoo threatened for Fleet early in the second half, his well-struck effort from out wide hitting the stanchion.

But with the game effectively over as a contest and a raft of changes following from both sides, the intensity dropped.

Stones keeper Harley Earle got behind a good strike from one of the substitutes, Tristan Lock, in the closing stages.

But Maidstone had the final say at the end of four minutes’ added time, the goal coming from one of their substitutes in Faal.

He went on a lovely solo run into the box before rolling the ball into the far corner, referee Kane Dempster immediately blowing the final whistle.

Ebbsfleet United: Chris Haigh, Omari Sterling-James, Ouss Cisse, Craig Tanner (Bailey Cain 68mins), Darren McQueen (Bernard Rai 76mins), Greg Cundle (Tristan Lock 61mins), Matthias Fanimo, Chris Solly, David Amoo, Maxx Manktelow, Max Shoolbred. Subs not used: Joe Buchanan, John Umar.

Maidstone United: Harley Earle, Sam Smith (Sam Corne 68mins), Reiss Greenidge, Michael Adu-Poku (Mo Faal 57mins), Sol Wanjau-Smith (Jephte Tanga 69mins), Lamar Reynolds, Riley Court, Harry Kyprianou, Matt Bentley, Bivesh Gurung, Paul Appiah. Subs not used: Lucas Covolan, George Fowler.

Referee: Kane Dempster.