By Wilf Sills and Liam Cush

Maidstone under-19s scored an incredible last-minute free-kick to win the National League Academy Cup final.

After an impressive run in the cup surpassing Dartford, Bromley, Maidenhead and then Aldershot in the semi-finals, Maidstone faced York City in what proved to be an intense 90 minutes of football at St George’s Park, the FA’s national football centre.

With Maidstone’s senior team losing in the National League South play-off semi-finals last weekend, the under-19s looked to bring home some silverware.

However, it proved to be a tough task as they faced a York side who had previously conceded only 24 goals in the entire season.

The first half saw a vast amount of end-to-end action with tackles flying in. Clear-cut chances were scarce with only a few tame efforts at goal.

The highlight of the first half came five minutes before the break when York attacker Harry Burland found himself on the edge of the six-yard box. Maidstone held their breath as keeper Chris Swift made himself big and pulled off a fine save, keeping things level going into half-time.

“I didn't think we were us,” said manager Billy Jones about his side’s first-half display. “We needed to pass the ball more and to be honest, our midfield overload didn’t work.”

The second half saw a less frenetic tempo although the referee was kept busy distributing yellow cards.

Not many clear-cut chances were created at either end but Maidstone went close when a ball was drilled into the box from the byline but was just out of the reach of striker Sonny Jackson.

“We went into a 4-3-3 in the second half to change things up a bit,” said Jones.

In the latter stages Alex Payne committed one foul too many, as a loose challenge resulted in the midfielder picking up a second yellow and consequently seeing red, leaving York with 10 men for the final 15 minutes.

It was looking like Maidstone were failing to capitalise on this, particularly when a first-time volley from substitute Paddy Flynn came back off the post.

Then, in added time, United won a free-kick on the edge of the box. This seemed like The Stones’ last chance to win it before a penalty shoot-out.

And win it they did, as Riley Court curled the free-kick low and around the wall to beat the York keeper at his near post. The travelling Maidstone family and friends went wild as their side ran over to celebrate the winning goal.

“I knew it was going to go in,” matchwinner Riley Court reflected. “It’s my area - don’t take me out on the edge of the box!

“I'm over the moon. It was a really tough game and we had to fight until the very end.”

Stones manager Jones added: “We knew it was going to be a tough game - York are a very good side - but that’s what Riley Court can do. A bit of brilliance at the end won us the game.”

Jones has told his players he wants to see them back at St George’s and lifting the silverware next season. He said: “This win doesn't stop what we do, what we’re trying to become. There is no way we are losing this trophy next year.

“The boys have been doing this all season, this is them. I'm so so proud of them.”