Long Lane staged a second half fightback to win the Kent Reliance under 14 Girls Youth Cup Final against a Maidstone United side who played their part in an enjoyable Final.

After Charlie-Mai Goad had given the Stones the half time lead, second half goals from Grace Laverick and Taylor Jesnry won the Cup for the Lane, although in the final analysis, Maidstone were desperately unlucky not to force extra time as Goad’s free kick clipped the Long Lane bar!

Talking to KSN, Long Lane’s management team of Chris Wretham and Ricky Pullen were naturally delighted although Wretham admitted “we were worried at half time, but we just told the girls to play the football that we both knew they could”, with Pullen adding “we knew that the girls could play better than they did in the first half and thankfully second half they did us and themselves proud!” adding, “our game of the season without doubt!”

For Maidstone boss John Jackson, despite the defeat, there was nothing but pride for his side’s achievement, which was clear for all to see when he spoke to KSN.  “Thought we were the better side overall, and even at the end were unfortunate. The turning point for me was undoubtedly their second goal that seemed to give them that extra bit, but we’ve done an amazing job to get here, and we’re all immensely proud of all the girls!”

Maidstone started the better of the two sides, and were in front when Goad held off two defenders, but still managed to drill the ball into the roof of the net. Long Lane were then grateful to a brilliant saving tackle from Shannon Donnelly as Claudia Tappin was about to shoot, before Long Lane had their first chance as Stones keeper Grace Ware saved bravely at the feet of Jesnry.

Hannah Baker then had Ware back-pedalling as a wind assisted cross dropped onto the roof of the Stones net before Freya Mumby drilled a free kick that whistled just too high – but found the bottom corner of the main goal some 20 yards behind the Long Lane net!

Maidstone had enjoyed long periods of possession in the first half, but that seemed to disappear following the half time talk from their coaches.

They were level shortly after the break when Laverick burst through the defence and poked wide of the advancing keeper.

Ware was then so unlucky as she must have been blinded by the bright sunlight as Logan O’Shea’s hanging crossed had to be pushed onto the cross bar and from the ensuing scramble Jesnry poked the ball home, leaving the keeper in a heap.  Bravely she was able to continue after treatment.

The Stones rallied late on superbly, but couldn’t find a way through.  Donnelly again was her side’s heroine as she made her second potential goal saving challenge – this time to deny Tappin; Goad then clipped the bar with her free kick before Lane keeper Chloe Wrotham produced a near miraculous double save to keep her side in front.

The keeper was incredibly brave to deny Goad, before being able to recover magnificently to grab the ball from Tappin’s feet just as she looked set to equalise.

LONG LANE – Chloe Wrotham, Francesca Turner, Shannon Donnelly, Taylor Jesnry, Hannah Barham, Grace Laverick, Patsy Callaghan, Hannah Baker, Daniella Brockwell-Low

Subs – Logan O’Shea, Nnebisi D’Mogekuu, Sophia Cumberbatch

MAIDSTONE UNITED – Grace Ware, Spring Bryen, Yuliana Kidikova. Jasmine Etheridge, Grace Pilcher, Charlie-Mae Goad, Ellie Nguyen, Claudia Tappin, Freya Mumby

Subs – Stevie Jackson, Tash Baudhurst, Megan Holliday, Jasmine Payne

 

Pictures supplied by PSP Images.