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The two Kent sides who have experienced all the drama’s of this season FA Vase produced a Kent Senior Trophy Final that whilst not the most exciting the competition has ever seen, certainly was one of the most intriguing battles that the Final has probably seen in many years as Vase Finalists Tunbridge Wells edged out a desperately unlucky and plucky Lordswood side who themselves reached the last sixteen of the national competition.

For long periods Lordswood completely dominated the Final and deservedly were ahead at the break but in the end were left to rue a couple of guilt edged chances that they failed to convert when ahead that gave their opponents the chance to exhibit the spirit that has seen Wells beaten just once by a Kent club since October (ironically by Lordswood in the Kent League Cup) finally came to the top, and although their equaliser owed a great deal to fortune, the goal that won the Trophy was a goal worthy of winning any game.

Indeed the way that Lordswood took the game to Tunbridge Wells was as surprising as it was commanding as Jason Lillis’ side totally bossed the opening half, and they began in the manner that they continues throughout the opening half in particular.  They took the lead after only ten minutes when Jordan Wells stepped up from fully thirty yards to curl a free kick over the wall and beyond the dive of Wells keeper Chris Oladogba and via the angle of post, bar and possibly even the back of the keepers bright yellow shirt, the ball and the keeper found themselves nestling in the back of the net.  Some would classify the goal as an OG against the unlucky keeper – but to do so would be to take away the brilliance of the kick from Wells.

It was nearly two a minute later when Joe Kane (who deservedly won the man of the match award for a fantastic display) from Sam Hallett’s left wing corner, sent a looping header just beyond the Wells right post. The early stages really were all Lordswood as they powered forward (supported by a strong wind that was blowing straight down the middle of the Longmead pitch) and on 14 minutes Oladogba had had to be at his alert best as he was tested with by a fierce drive from Imran Englefield – the keeper reacted quickest as the original shot look to have squirmed away from him.

The wave upon wave of Orange shirts continued as Tunbridge Wells were really put on the back foot. On the half hour Mark Murison dispossessed Perry Spackman only to shoot over before Spackman had Wells first chance of the game on 41 minutes. A free kick from Andy McMath was headed over by Spackman who could have perhaps done better. The potential turning point for the game arrived in first half stoppage time, and in the final analysis could be said to be the games pivotal moment. Kane thundered in a free kick from 25 yards which Oladogba saved magnificently, but could only palm the ball into the air. With the keeper on the floor, Murison couldn’t hit the target with his header, and was left thumping the six you box in total disbelief and despair!

Two nil down would have presented a really tough ask, but as the second half began, it was Lords again who were asking the questions. On 53 minutes Jordan Wells almost doubled his account but this time Oladogba did well to hold onto the strikers driven free kick.

Then on the hour, totally against the run of play, and in some eyes totally undeservedly Tunbridge Wells equalised. Jon Pilbeam finally broke the shackles and did well down the left, and as he centred Lords keeper Matt Byott who had to go for the ball could only palm the ball directly into the path of his own skipper Gary Cook who couldn’t get out of the way as the ball ricocheted into the net. It was desperate for Cook as he led his side magnificently and was a colossus throughout!

It could have knocked Lordswood completely out of their stride but to their credit they kept going and on 64 minutes Englefield sent in a drive that seemed to deceive Oladogba as it dropped just over the Tunbridge Wells cross bar. A couple of minutes later, Lords had loud shouts for a penalty waved away by referee Dyson as Halletts mazy run seemed to come to a premature end as he appeared to be brought down – but the official waved the protests away. Lords then came even closer with just ten minutes left. Murison chased and caught what seemed a lost cause, and after checking sent in a near perfect cross that Jordan Wells jut couldn’t get over with the ball skimming off his head and away to safety.

The decisive goal came with just three minutes left and was real heart break and a kick in the teeth for Lordswood’s tireless efforts. Substitute Carl Cornell (who has been an integral part of the Wells Vase run) was fed the ball by Joe Fuller wide on the run. He then set off on a mazy run across the face of the Lordswood 18 yard line, holding off a couple of challenges on the way. A short ball found Pilbeam who with time and space to pick his spot – and that he did; arrowing the ball beyond Byott’s despairing dive and into the net.

As the final whistle blew, the relief was evident all over the faces of the Tunbridge Wells players and supporters whilst for all their magnificent efforts and all they gave the game the Lordswood players were left to rue what might have been. Even as Jason Bourne stepped forward to receive the Trophy, you can bet that Lordswood boss Jason Lillis was already planning his sides revenge – after all, the two sides do meet at the Culvenden on Thursday evening in the League… but that’s after Wells face VCD on Tuesday and Corinthian on Wednesday!

LORDSWOOD – Matt Byott, Joe Kane, Adam Hooper, Gary Cook, Peter Huggens, Dan Wells, Imran Englefield (Stephen Munn), Lee Maskell, Jordan Wells, Mark Murison, Sam Hallett (Ellis Trutwein)

Subs – Steven Sage, Beau Taylor and Grant McIlheron

TUNBRIDGE WELLS – Chris Oladogba, Jason Bourne, Tom Carr, Joe Fuller, Scott Whibley, Perry Spackman, Jon Pilbeam, Andy McMath, Andy Irvine (Richard Sinden), Jack Harris, Josh Stanford (Carl Cornell)

Subs – Andy Boyle, Stuart Thorley, Michal Czanner

Man of the Match (chosen by match sponsor Spire Alexandra Hospital) – Joe Kane (Lordswood)

Attendance – 736

Referee – Lee Dyson
Assistants – Simon Finnigan and Michael Ingram
Fourth Official – David Smart