Two early second half goals for Angels in the end proved enough to win the Junior Cup and left Leysdown wondering what might have been.

Playing in their first County final for nearly 40 years, Angels got the dream start when Luke Price’s free kick deflected home.

Leysdown deservedly levelled just before the break through Jay Law, but were caught cold at the start of the second half as first Jon Ayling and then Martin Lewis scored.

The Leysdown frustration boiled over as Paul Teague was shown a second yellow card leaving the Islanders with too much to do as the Cup headed down the A2 to Dover.

For Angels boss Barry Salter, it was a proud afternoon as he told KSN.  “Very happy, and a great achievement by the boys! We’ve come a long way and we’ve a great bunch of boys who on the day were the better side and deserved to win.”

“The second goal settled us down and from there I think there was only one winner really.  It’s a massive achievement for one of the oldest Sunday League teams in Kent – very proud of the boys. They were a very good tough side who gave us a good game, but at the end of the day our quality won through I think.”

Leysdown boss Charles Osmond was full of praise for the winners.  “We’ve had some difficult sides on the run to get here,” he told KSN, “but WOW!  They are by best by far – big strong physical side that played the physicality side of things very well and fully deserved the win – their set pieces were phenomenal!”

“The sending off focused us and the final third was better, but the two goals right after half time didn’t help; heads dropped and that was disappointing. That said, we’re proud to have got here as it’s an honour – a real honour!”

After a relatively quiet start, Angels took the lead on 22 minutes – and the goal had a degree of fortune about it as Price’s free-kick deflected off the end of the defensive wall and flew into the corner of the net with keeper Robert Drake completely wrong footed.

Price thought he’d scored a second when his free kick from the right of the box flew into the top corner only for referee Chantrill-Smith to disallow the “goal” after a long discussion with his assistant.

Matt Stroud came close to doubling the advantage with a low drive but keeper Drake made an excellent save to deny him on the half hour.

Leysdown then came agonisingly close to levelling ten minutes from half time when Lee Sayer’s free kick clipped the crossbar – some thought keeper Roddy Hayward had made an excellent save – the official pointed for a goal-kick.

The Sheppey side were level though moments later as Law showed incredible close control before beating Hayward from the edge of the box.

Half time though came at the wrong time for Leysdown as within three minutes of the restart Ayling had slammed Angels back in front after a great run and ball in by Stroud.

Seven minutes later and the lead was doubled as this time Lewis got in behind the back line to coolly lob the ball over the advancing Drake and into the net.

Leysdown’s job became harder on the hour when Paul Teague was shown a second yellow card after a clash with Lewis Bennett and but for an excellent block from Drake to deny Sam Lancaster it would have become almost impossible.

As it was, as Leysdown pushed on they left space which the Dover side were able to exploit as they broke. Leysdown though kept pressing and Sayer drew a fine full length save out of Hayward from distance as the Sheppey side searched for a way back into the Final.

Lancaster was then again denied by Drake as the official played an excellent advantage after a defender handled.

At the final whistle, there were jubilant scenes amongst the Angels players and supporters as the club triumphed again in a County Final some 40 years after they first (and last) did!

 

Angels FC – Roddy Haywood, Greg Wollhouse, Luke Price, Rob Paton, Dan Cridland, Lewis Bennett, Nick Blackman, Sam Lancaster, Martin Lewis, Jon Ayling, Matt Stroud

Subs – Nathan Drewitt, Martin Henry, Luke Kennett, Babfemi Fadoro, Callum Stroud

Leysdown FC – Robert Drake, Jay Law, Lee Sayer, Matthew Cunningham, Tommy Pritchard, Teddy Haley, Paul Teague, Sam Brown, Chris Griffen, George Latham, Daniel Calder

Subs – Gary Ramsey, Aaron Gray, Lee Davies, Nicky Thompson, Craig Street

Referee – Ryan Chantrill-Smith
Assistants – Wayne Horsfall, Trevor Wilkinson and Ben Cooper

 

Match Photos by PSP Images.