A second half penalty from Jaiden Flisher sealed the Kent Reliance Under 13 Boys Youth Cup for Folkestone Invicta against a resilient Thamesview side from Gillingham.

It was a final of three penalties, as Invicta took the early lead when Alfie Bates Giles netted from the spot only for Luke Tutt to reply for View moments later.  A hugely enjoyable yet incredibly close final was then effectively decided when Flisher picked himself up to score the Final’s third penalty.

When Folkestone coach Stuart Murray spoke after the game, he was a very proud man… “The boys played so well, we knew that Thamesview were going to be tough and they were.  Never seen a Final with three penalties before in my life, but no-one I think can complain about any of them.  The game was played in great spirit and both defences were superb – a really good scrap and a fifty-fifty game.  So, so proud of the boys – only been in Kent League for six months and this is a great achievement for everyone connected with the team.”

Thamesview boss Max Akehurst was also very proud of his side’s achievements even in Finals defeat.  “We’ve come a long way this season,” he said and explained, “We’re the first Thamesview team to get into the Kent Youth League and to get the boys to the Kent Cup Final for the first team in 47 years is a fantastic achievement – and we were so close!  Such a close game that could easily have gone either way – the highlight of my week is coaching those boys and I’m so proud of each and every-one of them today!”

Invicta scored first when Tyronne Green was fouled and up stepped Giles to strike the early blow.  The Medway side belied their nerves at being the very first from their club ever to get to a County Final and responded really well and were level within a few minutes after a penalty of their own.  Kyle White was fouled and there seemed a collective nervous reluctance of those in red to take the kick before Tutt stepped forward and rolled the ball wide of Invicta keeper Sam Hignett.

In a desperately tight game chances were at a premium yet before the break both keepers had shown their bravery as first Hignett produced a wonderful sliding tackle on the edge of his box to deny Joshua Akehurst before his opposite number – Ryan Patterson – made a really brave save to deny the lively Green from a dangerous cross.

The winning goal arrived in the early stages of the second half when Flisher went down under a challenge and after checking with his assistant, referee Ward pointed to the spot.  Flisher dusted himself down to send the unfortunate Patterson the wrong way.  Thamesview really dug deep yet sadly for the Medway side the closest they got sat Hignett deny Deniz Gok bravely as the number nine burst through late on.

Victory then to Invicta, but both sides are to be credited in not only reaching the Final but also for producing a hugely enjoyable game for a good crowd.

 

Folkestone Invicta FC – Sam Hignett, Liam O’Donnell, Arthur Yeomans, Alfie Bates Giles, Kyle Manton, Max Lawton, George Edgell, Tyronne Green, Jaiden Flisher, Louis Smith, Kian Burchell Warner

Subs – Toby Murray, Alfie Kearns, Luca Burello, Harry Baker

Thamesview FC – Ryan Patterson, Alexander Musk, Frankie Smith, Luke Tutt, Connor-Joe O’Sullivan, Benjamin Phillips, Kyle White, Jude Watts, Joshua Akehurst, Sidney Hopkins, Tobias Williams

Subs – Deniz Gok, Tyler Cornelius, Joseph Matthews

Referee – Connor Ward
Assistants – Ryan Bradford; Ryan Gray; Max Sollis

Kent Reliance Under 13s Boys Cup Youth Final – Folkestone Invicta 2-1 Thamesview

Match Photos by PSP Images.