A single goal was enough for AEI Sports as they defeated Gillingham Town to win the Kent FA Junior Cup Group B Final.
The second game of another Kent FA Cup finals weekend began with both sides creating chances from set pieces within the opening minutes, first a Gillingham corner, taken by Simeon Grant was hurried away by AEI Sports, who watched Leigh Austin’s free kick fly wide of the goal.
Chances for both sides continued when Mo Kamara skipped past Ben Turner before scuffing his shot on the Gallagher Stadium turf and watching his shot roll wide.
It took around fifteen minutes for either team to get control of the match, with AEI Sports pushing further forward with pace, the Gillingham defence was often left stretched, this could be seen when Sean Stanton’s header at the near post for AEI went inches wide.
Soon though, Gillingham worked their way back into the game, resulting in a cross from the left wing being headed towards goal by Micheline Tracey, but the attacker couldn’t beat Danny Ball.
AEI retained their hold on the game and nearly scored a great opening goal, but after Cyril France watched the ball as it fell to his feet, he was unable to keep his shot down as it smashed against the crossbar before the midfielder hit another shot over after turning towards the target.
With over thirty minutes gone in the first half, Gillingham had another chance to open the scoring, but after a brilliant passing move with Lee Moseley, Louis Warner’s left footed shot flew over.
Just seconds before the half time whistle, AEI had a series of chances to score the opening goal of the game, but after Cyril France’s shot was deflected wide, Josh Charter’s volley flew over, marking the end of an entertaining, attacking but goalless half of football.
The second half nearly began with an elusive goal, but after winning a free kick on the edge of the area, Josh Carter’s free kick hit the bar before Robert Sait tipped another effort over.
Sait was called into action moments later as a cross from the left was headed towards goal at the near post but Sait showed his great reactions by pushing the effort over the crossbar.
Danny Ball, the game’s other goalkeeper was also challenged in the opening twenty minutes of the half when Andrew Smith worked his way through the AEI Sports defence before forcing a header towards Ball but the goalkeeper was able to keep the shot away.
It wouldn’t be long before Robert Sait was needed by Gillingham again and just a minute after his opposite number had kept the game level he did exactly the same, this time diving to his left to spectacularly deny Moses Alausa before forcing a shot from Sean Stanton out for a corner.
Sait was needed yet again to deny Mo Kamara when the small attacker worked his way into the penalty area before his low shot was well saved.
Finally, with less than fifteen minutes remaining in the game, a cross from Moses Alausa found Mo Kamara who calmly finished with a tidy finish underneath Robert Sait, giving AEI a late lead.
Kamara nearly doubled his side’s lead minutes after but after a loose ball fell to his feet the shot from outside the area was well held but that didn’t matter to AEI Sports, as they waited for time to run out, giving them the trophy which they were unable to win at the same point last season.
“We reached this point last season but were outmuscled” explained AEI Sports’ manager Peter Stanton “we have worked hard this season to improve by becoming more physical, and it’s paid off”.
Meanwhile, Gillingham Town’s Richard Hasemore was gracious in defeat “On another day we could have played better than that, AEl were the better side but we weren’t strong enough in the middle”.
AEI Sports: Ball, Mentessi, Brown, Carter, Austin, Pitan, France, Stanton, Buckleridge, Kamara, Alausa
Substitutes: M Olanerwaju, J Olanrewaju, Hisee
Gillingham town: Sait, Munson, Coombs, Keates, Turner, Moseley, Grant, Percy, Tracey, Warner, Hasemore
Substitutes: Whymark, Doughty, Smith, Eldridge, Walsh
Referee: Mr A Overbury
Assistants: Mr P Wilson and Mr J Cook
Fourth Official: Mr N King