Aaron Stebbeds got the winning goal to help Aylesford edge their Kent Junior A Cup Final against Upchurch at Chatham’s Bauvill Stadium on Saturday.

Stebbeds completed a league and cup double for the Kent County League Division 2 Central & East champions - a week on from Les Leckie Cup Final shootout heartache - as they bounced back from missing out on a treble in style, with the showdown in Medway finishing 2-1.

Aylesford manager Aaron Braithwaite said: “I’m absolutely over the moon.

“We had the disappointment of losing last week when we were on for the treble.

“Massive credit to the boys because we were a little bit depleted. We had five or six starters from last week’s Final missing, and our top scorer pulled out on the morning of the game.

“To dust ourselves down from that and win this, I’m really pleased.”

Upchurch had got past Gillingham Town (1-0), Lokomotiv Canterbury (5-0), Halls AFC Reserves (4-1) and Sellindge (4-1) to reach this stage and had the first chance on three minutes, Lawrence Simmonds shooting wide.

A minute later, Aylesford goalkeeper Owen Baker made a brilliant save to tip a shot by Upchurch captain Louis Kennedy onto the post before the first real action at the other end.

Alex Taylor made a fine block to deny Aylesford’s Sam Potter a ninth-minute shot on goal, the same player firing wide two minutes later.

But Brainthwaite’s side - who had seen off Tunbridge Wells Reserves (4-3 after extra-time), Kings Hill Reserves (4-1), Cinque Ports (6-2), Selhurst United (2-1) and Orpington (4-2) en-route to the Final - netted midway through the first half.

The goal came in excellent fashion. George Kingdon emphatically headed a right-wing cross beyond Upchurch keeper James Williamson amid rapidly-improving temperatures on a warm May afternoon.

But just six minutes later, Rochester & District League Premier Division Upchurch, managed by Jordan Colclough, hit back. Taylor Tuck-Brown capped a sweeping passing move from Frankie Kennedy’s low right-wing cross to make it 1-1 at half-time.

The first chance of the second period saw Aylesford’s Harry Balderson nod wide a corner at the back post.

In the 57th minute, they restored their advantage, though, as Stebbeds found the net.

Upchurch’s Simmonds then beat keeper Owen Baker to a loose ball, only to see his shot skew narrowly wide of the post.

Heading into the latter stages of the contest, Stebbeds and Upchurch captain Louis Kennedy squandered chances at either end.

Aylesford substitute Harry Spain - only introduced during the last minute of normal time - twice was denied a third goal for his side by Williamson to put the result beyond doubt.

There was almost a dramatic late twist in the ninth minute of injury time but substitute Ryan Brightwell’s effort with the final kick went wide, as Aylesford held on.

“It was really tight,” Braithwaite reflected. “Finals are never easy to play in, are they?

“I thought we controlled the game, though. Obviously, they hit the post early doors and, in the second half, they haven’t really had a shot.

“So, we have managed to control it well and I’d said that to the boys ‘If we get in front again (for a second time), make sure you see it out’ - and they have done that.

“I want to thank the committee and everyone at the club. They’ve really backed and supported us this year.

“Cup Finals are for the families. I barely see my missus and I want people like her to enjoy it.

“I was a bit unbearable last week! But I can enjoy it now.”

Braithwaite reserved special praise for one of his substitutes as he cobbled together a depleted squad.

He explained: “The Kent FA asked us ‘Can you put your 16 in?’ and we put 16 in, the week before the last Final. Since then, we have been emailing them all week - up until today - saying ‘This person isn’t in now, can we replace them with this person?’.

“Credit to little Lewis Fordham, who came on in midfield today. He hasn’t been around much in recent weeks because other players have sort of been doing it.

“I messaged him on Friday night - initially pre-warning him - and then today to say ‘You’re in.’ I thought he was outstanding.

“He didn’t feel sorry for himself at all and really put a shift in.”

Aylesford: Baker, Bridge, Cole, Balderson, Kingdon, Wells, Brislee, Hadley, Potter, Wells, Stebbeds. Subs: Amin, Jenkins, Tyler, Fordham, Spain.

Upchurch: Williamson, Currie, Frewin, F.Kennedy, L.Kennedy, Robinson, L.Simmonds, F.Simmonds, Stockey, Taylor, Tuck-Brown. Subs: Brightwell, Fisher, Gande-Browne, Wornham, Lanckmans.

Referee: Michael Jones.