Two own goals helped Larkfield & New Hythe Wanderers claim the Kent FA Sunday Cup after extra time against Langley Athletic.

Both Tom Edwards and Adam Blew put past their own keeper with Craig Bruce scoring the other for Remi Beadle’s side whilst George King scored what turned out to be a consolation for Langley Athletic.

With fans having flocked to Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium in their hundreds, the game was just three minutes old when it was brought to an abrupt pause whilst Chris Patey and Shane Crouch had to leave the field after a nasty clash of  heads.

After a lengthy break, both sides looked to assert some authority, with neither team prepared to concede any ground with the challenges going crunching in.

It took until the 24th minute of the game for the first real chance to come, but Tommy Stamp stabbed the ball straight at Larkfield keeper Adam Jackson.

Two minutes later and Barry Campbell had a great chance to score, but he blazed over as he fell backwards.

Larkfield thought they had broke the deadlock on 31 minutes only to see the linesman’s flag go up with Nathan Faulkes disappointed after placing the ball in the back of the net.

They weren’t to be denied though and took the lead just five minutes later when they capitalised on a long throw into the box and after a succession of headers, Tom Edwards couldn’t help but nod the ball past his own keeper.

It could have been 2-0 just four minutes later when Faulkes broke into the box and pulled the ball back to Michael Whipps, but the Larkfield man hit his first time shot just over.

Larkfield were to finish the half the stronger of the two teams with Craig Bruce’s cross from the left falling kindly to the late arriving Sean Attwater, but he blazed over and in injury time Charlie Cullen’s dink over the top was met by Faulkes, but he couldn’t control the ball and placed his shot just wide.

Langley came out after the break fired up and Jack Sargent struck his shot just wide of the post in the opening minute of the second half.

After a succession of bookings and with both managers having been spoken to referee Richard Butcher, the game calmed down with neither side able to test the keepers.

On 66 minutes it should have been 2-0 as Bruce’s attempted cross from the left hand side appeared to be dipping under the bar, but Langley keeper Chris Barrett was able to tip it over.

Numerous changes disrupted the game and with seemingly going to end 1-0, George King danced down the left, cut into the box before unleashing a shot past Adam Jackson and into the bottom corner.

Larkfield felt they should have been awarded a penalty in the 88th minute as Faulkes was brought down on the edge of the box, but the referee deemed it was just outside and Langley keeper Chris Barrett escaped with just a booking.

Extra time saw both sides pour forward looking for a winner and it was Larkfield that retook the lead in the 104th minute with James Withers’ cross deflected into his own net by Adam Blew.

It was harsh luck on the Langley defender who had look assured at the back, but it proved to be the inspiration for Larkfield to go on and win the game.

With the rain now pouring down, it came as no real surprise that Larkfield & New Hythe Wanderers extended their lead just four minutes later with Nathan Faulkes’ cross from the right finding Craig Bruce and he calmly side stepped the Langley keeper before slotting the ball into the back of the net.

It could have been even better in the dying minutes with Faulkes marauding into the box from the left before curling a shot that came back off the upright and away to safety.

The victory proved to be well deserved and speaking after the game, Larkfield & New Hythe Wanderers manager Remi Beadle spoke of his emotion at claiming the Kent Sunday Cup:

“Words can’t express how I feel today. It was a dramatic start with the clash of heads and I feel for Chris as he would have carried on for the rest of the game. I was gutted for him.”

“It’s an emotional time as that’s three cup wins now in three seasons. Two own goals wasn’t how we’d planned it, but we will really celebrate this win like we should.”

FULL TIME: LARKFIELD & NEW HYTHE WANDERERS 3-1 LANGLEY ATHLETIC – AET

 

Larkfield & New Hythe Wanderers starting line up: Adam Jackson, Adam Swaisland, Charlie Cullen, Jordan Roberts, Brett Wheeler, Dan McCarthy, Michael Whipps, Craig Bruce, Sean Attwater, Chris Patey, Nathan Faulkes.

Subs: Harry Mercer, Ben Clarkson, Lincoln Williams, Ricky Baker, James Withers.

Langley Athletic starting line up: Chris Barrett, Russell Allen, Jason Tharp, Pete Fare, Andy Thomas, Shane Crouch, Tom Edwards, Dan Young, Tommy Stamp, Sam Edwards, Barry Campbell.

Subs: Adam Blew, Jack Sargent, George King, Dan Fisher.

Referee: Mr Richard Butcher

Assts: Mr Andrew Wheaton & Mr Mark Tucker

4th Official: Mr Daniel Dean

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