A goal in the final minute from Cameron Slatter won the Kent Reliance Under 13s Kent Cup for Bromley against a gallant Dartford side who lead at half time at Faversham Town’s Shepherd Neame Stadium.

With the clock showing full time, Slatter nipped in unnoticed and unmarked at the far post after a long free kick had been driven back across the face of goal by Odeluga Offiah, thus clinching the trophy for Glyn Shimmel’s side, who after the game was a very happy coach – and Dad as his son Sam had starred for the Whites at the back.

“I’m really proud of all the boys after a great battling performance,” he told KSN after the game.  “Even though we were behind at the break, I said to the boys at the break that all the time we were only one behind we had a chance.  It was a battling performance for us today!”

Darts coach Sean Scolding was naturally disappointed after seeing his side lose at the death, but he was gracious in defeat.

“We had enough chances to win the game, and their keeper (Ryan McCourt) was rightly named as Man of the Match.  We told the boys that the next goal was vital and sadly we didn’t get it!  It was an even game and I can’t fault any of the players – today’s been a learning curve and I’m sure we’ll come back stronger!”

The first started as a typical Cup Final – tight and cagey – until Dartford’s Tommy Whittington forced McCourt into a terrific low save.  His opposite number Connor McDonnell was then called into action as he made a near miraculous block to deny Paris Jackson with a block that left both players in a heap and the Darts keeper left flat out holding his head.  Thankfully he was able to continue after treatment.

Dartford then enjoyed a spell of pressure that saw Rajan Smith shoot just wide and Dillon Bilal force McCourt into a brilliant low save away to his left.  The goal that the Darts had been threatening did duly arrive when Morant Reid using his stature forced his way through before clipping the ball into the Bromley net.

Bromley started the second half with renewed vigour and McDonnell was forced into a fine block to deny Jackson before the moment that turned the game.  Fraser Baxendine sprinted through, McCourt raced from his line slightly mis-timing his challenge resulting in the Dartford man going down.  Referee Barham rightly awarded the penalty but deemed that the keeper wasn’t the last man and only showed the yellow card to many people’s surprise!

McCourt redeemed himself by plunging away to his right to palm aside Harry Sargent’s spot kick which both managers later conceded was the turning point.

The Bromley boss, who is also Bromley’s first team goalkeepers coach, admitted that he was worried.  “When Ryan concedes the penalty you have to worry what card is going to come out, but it was a great save – one of many he made.  I’m delighted for him as he’s played his part in getting us here and he’s certainly played his part today.”

The pendulum certainly swung Bromley’s way moments later.  A Bromley free kick flew off the head of a Dartford defender and only just dipped over the bar, and from the resulting corner, Aiden Renfry Smith (possibly the smallest player on the pitch) stooped unmarked to head home from six yards out.

Slatter then popped up as the 70 minutes expired on the clock to put Bromley in front for the first time, but there was still time for McCourt to deny Archie Roast with his foot as the ball looped up and over the bar.

The whistle was greeted with huge cheers from the Bromley contingent, and left their coach a very happy man – and Dad!

BROMLEY – Ryan McCourt, Sam Shimell, Josh Burness, Harry Osbourne, Joe Turner, Fred Mason, Reece McLellan, Henry Farrant, Paris Jackson, Odeluba Offiah, Will Edgar

Subs – James Roberts, Cameron Baxendine, Aiden Remfry-Smith, Alfie Peck

DARTFORD – Connor McDonnell, Frankie Hughes, Brandon Davey, Harry Sargent, Daniel Watson, Dillpn Bilal, Rio Dhami, Morrant Reid, Andre Fearon, Tommy Whittington, Rajan Sahni

Subs – Joseph Town, Joshua Williams, Archie Roast, Billy Edwards

Pictures supplied by PSP Images