Greencourt recorded a narrow Junior Trophy victory with a magnificent defensive display against one of the freest scoring teams at this level in Kent.

The Goat arrived at the Gallagher with a reputation for scoring goals, but in the end had to settle for a single penalty in stoppage time as time and again attacks floundered on a magnificent rear guard display with Tom Martin, Dan Bannell and skipper Tony Kenyon outstanding for the side from Crockenhill.

Jason Osbourne game them an early lead that was doubled in the final minute as Matt Knuckey converted from the spot. For The Goat, their reply (also from the spot) came from Dave Tyler as they finished with ten men following Ben Hicks’ late red card.

Greencourt boss Andy Cruchlow told KSN after the game, “Over the moon after a good game of football.  We were aware of their scoring record but set up to quell that from the start and setting up as we did at the back helped us going forward too.”

“It’s a great day for the club as it’s our first Cup in in our first Final after 5 seasons after going close last year.”

For The Goats’ Jake Mead, it was a frustrating morning. “We never got going after a poor first half,” he told KSN, “and we just couldn’t find a way through. It was a frustrating day for us and the only consolation is making the Final itself. We’ll take today and move on next season but fair play to Greencourt on their win.”

It was Greencourt who started better and they were rewarded on only 12 minutes when Osbourne swept home from 12 yards after some great approach play down the left from Knuckey who for most of the game ploughed a lone furrow up front.

The Goat’s first real chance of any note came from the boot of skipper Ben Hicks but his free kick was just too high, before on the stroke of half time Greencourt almost doubled their lead when Sam Smith was denied by a fabulous save from Goat keeper Ash Barton.

The opening stages of the second half were cagey with both sides just one pass away from creating that key chance that they both sort so desperately.

Knuckey missed the best chance as he raced clear for Greencourt only to be denied by Barton standing tall and strong, but as the half wore on The Goat pushed more and more leaving themselves more and more stretched at the back.

The Goats’ job was made even tougher when skipper Ben Hicks was shown a straight red card eleven minutes from time after a clash with Fred Cray leaving the ten men with a mountain to climb – one that should have been put beyond them in Greencourt’s very next attack as Knuckey rattled the bar from the edge of the box.

Knuckey was though not to be denied as in the last minute, he raced clear again only to be brought down in the box – and that was after escaping from one defender’s lunge on the edge of the centre circle – and from the spot he made no mistake.

Yet amazingly, the Greencourt back-line switched off for an instant and the ten men won an unlikely life-line when they were awarded their own penalty in the final minute which Dave Tyler duly despatched to set up a closer finish than many expected as Greenways held on to in the Trophy.

 

Greencourt FC – Dan Teeley, Max Pickering, Tom Martin, Tony Kenyon, Dan Bannell, Greg Summersby, Sam Smith, Fred Cray, Charlie Wincott, Jason Osbourne, Matt Knuckey

Subs – Matt Daniels, Jack Taylor, Dan Shepherd, George McMahon, Richey Outteridge

The Goat FC – Ash Barton, Mike James, Jake Mead, Charlie Morning, Danny Ball, Dave Green, Ben Hicks, Steve Rowden, Marcus Lind, Aaron Cumberland, Danny Solari

Subs – Dean Eley, Steve Moreton, Scott Taylor, Matt King, Dave Tyler

Referee – Dan Friar
Assistants – Mike Donnelly, Mark Miller and Greg Saxton

Match Photos by PSP Images.