Two goals from Jack Mahon earned a come from behind win for Greenwich Borough over holders Faversham Town in the Kent Reliance Intermediate Cup Final on a balmy evening at the Shepherd Neame Stadium, Salters Lane.

After going behind early on to a Bradley Webb free kick, Borough won the Trophy for the very first time courtesy of Mahon goals either side of half time which capped a fantastic week for the club following the club’s first team clinching the Southern counties East Football League title at the weekend.

Naturally enough their management duo of Owen Jones and Terry Lindsey were delighted with their side’s evening when they spoke to KSN after the game.

Coach Jones admitted, “Very pleased – very happy not just for me, but for the boys as well!  We’ve had a tough season and the work that’s gone into today has been tremendous and it’s fantastic at the way the boys have pulled together to get us this result.”

“It’s been an incredible week for such a wonderful club – we’ve come such a long way as a club in the last four years, and we’ll dedicate tonight to everyone at the club.”

“We’re such a family unit – so much together and at the end when little Ramell (Lake) said to us at the end that he was so emotional that he wanted to cry, that summed it up for me!”

Coach Lindsey then added, “We didn’t get started very well – for the first 20 minutes I thought we were awful! It seemed like they were clipping the ball in behind us and we didn’t have an answer!”

“We told them at half time that if we got the ball on the floor and played our football we would get the chances. We made a change at half time and it worked, our midfield got more into the game and they are our play makers, and you saw the result!”

Faversham’s Guy Williams was naturally disappointed but rightly proud of his side’s Cup defence when he spoke to KSN.

“Couldn’t have asked for any more from the boys and I thought if we’d have got the breaks in the last 15/20 minutes, it could have been different, but that’s football at the end of the day.”

“We’re pleased to get this far again as it’s a developing under 21s squad which is great for the club – two years, two Cup Finals and doing well in the League with players making the first team squad which is what it’s all about after all, but it would have been nice to bring the trophy home in front of our own fans!”

“It’s a good night for the boys but it’s just football isn’t it – you’re not always guaranteed a good time!”

The game itself was a curious one with neither keeper really tested as a highly enjoyable end to end game didn’t have the clear cut chances that would have been expected although Faversham did get the perfect start when Webb’s free kick from wide on the left wing went straight into the Greenwich net.

The “home” side could have doubled their lead shortly after as Bola Dawodu got behind the Borough defence and his driven centre was just too far in front of a lunging Joe Lester at the far post.

Greenwich’s attacking intent grew during the first half with their set pieces causing the Faversham defence problems. From the first – a corner from Romayle Wade – home keeper Tom Benham tried to claim the ball but was relieved when it flashed across his goal and away to safety.

Greenwich then did have the ball in the net only for it to be ruled out for offside and just before the break they did equalise. Another Wade free-kick was fumbled by Benham who was thankful to Ryan Perkins to hack the ball behind. But from the resulting corner Mahon ghosted into the near post to score.

A frantic start to the second half saw scrambles in both goalmouths before Mahon struck again. Put through by a fabulous ball by full back Luke Miller, he raced into the box and managed to get a final touch as Benham came out to poke the ball into the Faversham net.

It was then Faversham’s turn to get the ball into the net only for the “goal” to be disallowed – a decision that enraged some of the Lillywhite’s players and left boss Williams baffled as he later admitted, “From where I was I couldn’t tell, but the players were adamant that the goal should have stood! But that’s football,” he said shrugging his shoulders.

Mahon then had a chance to seal the victory and his hat-trick as Faversham pushed forward, but for some reason when he broke into the box, he decided to square the ball instead of shooting.

In the closing stages Faversham pushed on but despite having the possession didn’t really test Mole – indeed the best chance they had saw Emmanuel West make a sensational challenge to take the ball away from two white shirts as he cleared the ball away to safety.

At the final whistle, the Intermediate Cup had a new name on it, as Borough’s second string capped off a great week for the club with a win that boss Jones was quick to dedicate to the club and their supporters who have backed the club during their recent renaissance!

 

FAVERSHAM TOWN – Tom Benham, Taylor Sanzari, Ryan Perkins, Ryan Cheek, Josh McCallum, Liam Mayell, Bola Dawodu, Daniel King, Joe Lester, Jack Sellens, Bradley Webb

Subs – Callum Tydeman, Kobina Bernasko, Luke Sellens, David Blake, Toby Wood

GREENWICH BOROUGH – Kristian Mole, Luke Miller, Reiss Powell, Jerome Wade, Stanley Ngagha, Mudraga Wanogho, Mykel Ashby, Jack Mahon, Romayle Wade, Ramell Lake, Harry Payne

Subs – Ryan Fopossi, Emmanuel West, Jordy Akunwami, Shane Masiello, Owen Jones

 

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