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Kent Merit Under-13 Boys Cup Final: Long Lane Juniors 0 Sevenoaks Town 2

08:40, 27 March 2023

updated: 11:11, 31 March 2023

Sevenoaks ran out deserved winners with a goal in either half to overcome Long Lane at Sheppey's Holm Park on Sunday.

The wet weather made for a slick playing surface and both teams passed the ball around well with challenges flying in.

Sevenoaks Town celebrate winning the Kent Merit Under-13 Boys Cup Final. Picture: PSP Images
Sevenoaks Town celebrate winning the Kent Merit Under-13 Boys Cup Final. Picture: PSP Images

“I’m proud of the boys, we had a gameplan that worked,” said Sevenoaks head coach Louis Dixon. “We knew they had a few dangerous players and we dealt with them well.

“We were first to the first and second balls and to top it off the second goal was a great finish.

“We’re not the biggest side but we showed our passion and desire. I thought Eddie O’Brien was brilliant, along with Floyd Reilly. Their dangerman is their striker but they dealt with it well and he didn’t get too many opportunities.

“The second goal was coming. We said at half-time that we’d get more chances and we just had to keep our shape defensively. Cup finals are always going to be tight so I’m really happy for the boys.”

It may have proved a different story had Long Lane striker Troy Ogendengbie not directed his left-foot chip the wrong side of the post in the ninth minute.

Sevenoaks Town celebrate taking the lead in the Kent Merit Under-13 Boys Cup Final. Picture: PSP Images
Sevenoaks Town celebrate taking the lead in the Kent Merit Under-13 Boys Cup Final. Picture: PSP Images
Long Lane under-13s on the ball against Sevenoaks Town under-13s. Picture: PSP Images
Long Lane under-13s on the ball against Sevenoaks Town under-13s. Picture: PSP Images

Sevenoaks were excellent defensively, thereafter. Right-back Harry Sutcliffe set the tone with a couple of early tackles while centre-back pairing Floyd Reilly and player-of-the-match Eddie O’Brien impressed throughout.

Forward Emran Boudarga-Wischhoff had the ball in the net for Sevenoaks on 12 minutes but the assistant’s flag was already raised for offside.

Long Lane keeper Jenson Lockwood then saved with his feet to thwart Boudarga-Wischhoff following a speedy Sevenoaks break after they won possession from an opposition throw-in deep in their own half.

The breakthrough arrived on 22 minutes, the excellent Lucas Spearpoint was tripped in the box and Boudarga-Wischhoff stepped up to drive home an unstoppable spot-kick, despite Lockwood going the right way.

A sweeping move down the right wing nearly provided an immediate second goal but Toby Gwinnell’s shot was straight at the keeper.

Sevenoaks Town under-13s compete with Long Lane under-13s (blue). Picture: PSP Images
Sevenoaks Town under-13s compete with Long Lane under-13s (blue). Picture: PSP Images
Action from the Kent Merit Under-13 Boys Cup Final between Long Lane and Sevenoaks Town. Picture: PSP Images
Action from the Kent Merit Under-13 Boys Cup Final between Long Lane and Sevenoaks Town. Picture: PSP Images

Long Lane forward Ogendengbie went down as he rounded keeper Philip Hilgers at the other end but referee Jack Matthews again made the right call in not giving a penalty.

The game was made safe on 55 minutes when skipper Harrison Dixon brilliantly volleyed in a left-wing cross.

There were few chances in the second half as Sevenoaks kept their defensive shape well, although keeper Hilgers made a fine save at the death to ensure a clean sheet for his team.

Long Lane - beaten by Sevenoaks in the Kent Merit Under-13 Boys Cup Final. Picture: PSP Images
Long Lane - beaten by Sevenoaks in the Kent Merit Under-13 Boys Cup Final. Picture: PSP Images

Long Lane: Jenson Lockwood, Harrison Daley, Jamie Hawney, Samuel Morgan, Malakaii Ahmed, Sopuruchi Njoku, Harvey Collins, Ayomide Arthur, Mason Foster-Connikie, Albie King-Pearson, Troy Ogendengbie, Miles Potter, Will Morgan, Charlie Goodsell, Daniel Whitehouse.

Sevenoaks Town: Philip Hilgers, Harry Sutcliffe, Edward O’Brien, Arthur Edwards, Floyd Reilly, Coby Sherlock, Harrison Dixon, Lucas Spearpoint, Toby Gwinnell, Emran Boudarga-Wischhoff, Samson Turner, Nilan Van Assche, James Neale, Sam Chambers, Riley Dale, Billy Porter.

Referee: Jack Matthews.

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