Faversham Town won the Kent Intermediate Cup with a polished display to defeat the Tonbridge Angels in their own Longmead back yard.

First half goals from Ryan Cheek and Micheal Hurcombe, and a decisive third from Brad Webb in truth gave Faversham the trophy with a bit to spare despite a late rally from the “home” side where skipper Cameron Milham pulled one back at 1-2.

But in the end, it was down to Angels keeper Jack Kelly that the scoreline remained respectable.

Faversham roared out of the blocks and were ahead inside ten minutes when Cheek powered home a header from a right wing corner giving Kelly no chance.

The Angels goal then had another escape moments later when Liam Mayell’s free kick took a vicious bounce in front of Kelly who did well to hold on, before launching a Tonbridge attack from which Tom Pearson crossed for Gavin Quintyne to head just too high.

Miham teed up Joe Lester, then tested Faversham keeper Ton Benham with an angled drive which the keeper turned aside brilliantly.

The second Faversham goal arrived just before half time as they swept forward from another break. It was Lester’s shot which Kelly turned aside, and following up Hurcombe bundled the ball goalwards and despite the heroic efforts of keeper Kelly and Tom Pearson, the ball was “adjudged” to have crossed the line and the goal given!

Tonbridge needed a quick response after the break – and they got one! Faversham cleared a corner and Milham returned the ball with considerable interest into Benham’s top corner from 25 yards with the Town keeper rooted to the spot.

Back came Faversham and Kelly made another magnificent save to deny Lester before the Lillywhites sealed the Cup with a wonderful solo effort from Webb. He picked the ball up on the edge of the centre circle and just kept running and running before scoring gloriously from the edge of the box.

With their two goal lead re-established, Faversham threw the shackles off and played some super football – ironically enough football that was to give Tonbridge the chances to get back into the game!

Hurcombe was denied by a really brave save from Kelly before the Angels created a hat-trick of chances in quick succession. Kelly came roaring out of his box to clear a potential 2v2 Faversham break and in doing so Benham had to be quick off his line to deny Tom Pearson.

Malakai Field then got away down the Tonbridge right and his cross was met by Pearson who headed over, before Pearson turned provider as his arrowed centre was just too far in front of a stretching Quintyre.

Kelly then pulled off his stunning best – first he denied Hurcombe a second goal as his powerful downward header (from Georgio Russo’s cross) was magnificently saved with the keeper’s feet, before the unfortunate Hurcombe was denied again as he raced onto Russo’s through ball, only to see Kelly get the bit of luck his heroic display had warranted as the ball bounced off of the post and back into the keeper’s arms!

Tonbridge coach Chris Hollyoak was disappointed after the game as he told KSN, “That was disappointing in the first half – it wasn’t good enough.”

“It’s a shame because we’ve had a great season, but tonight,” he shrugged, “I don’t know… I thought Jack (Kelly) was something else tonight, but we gave away silly goals – that said, our congrats to Faversham for winning the Trophy!”

For Faversham coach Clive Walker, victory was down to hard work all season long as he explained, “We’ve worked them hard all season as most of the time they’ve been training with the first team.”

“I thought Webby (Brad Webb) was a different class out there tonight, and was outstanding. It’s great to win this trophy tonight, and with a bit of luck will be the start of a big month for the club what with the first team in the Ryman Play Offs!”

Overall another entertaining Final for a decent crowd won by the right side with gallant losers – a good prelude we all hope for the next in the series of Kent CupFfinals – the Senior Trophy at 3:00pm on Sunday at Hayes Lane, Bromley, between Greenwich Borough and Hollands and Blair!

FAVERSHAM TOWN U21s – Tom Benham, Georgio Russo, Ryan Perkins, Ryan Cheek, Dan Carrington, Josh McCullum William Johnson-Cole HT), Liam Mayell, Dan King, Micheal Hurcombe, Joe Lester (Luke Germano 85), Brad Webb

Subs – Sam Davis, Luke Sellens, Callum Tydeman

TONBRIDGE ANGELS RESERVES – Jack Kelly, Malakai Field, Veejay Miller, Callum McCarthy, Cameron Milham (James Philpott 80) , Neville Rivelino57) (Stevie Bouachi , Gavin Quintyned, Jemeille Johnson, Tom Pearson, Brett Millham, Steve Colidcott (Jacob Wright 57)

Subs – Tashi-Kay Kwayie, Stan Hill

Referee – Zoltan Konkaly

Assistants – Simon Jackson & Glen Childs

Fourth Official – Jack Fagg

Pictures supplied by www.psp-images.co.uk