An impressive hat trick from Luke Burdon was the difference as Willesborough Athletic defeated Signdoc FC 3-0 in the Kent FA Junior Cup group C final.

The game marked the beginning of another weekend of Kent FA finals with these sets of games being part of the county FA’s Set Your Stall campaign, promoting the FA’s Respect programme.

After a fast paced opening to the game it was Willesborough who had the first shot of the match, but after doing well to get past his marker, Ollie Perkins’ shot was easily gathered by David Saunders. The attacker continued to create chances and soon after his free kick was also gratefully taken in by Saunders.

Willesborough’s pressure went on throughout the opening ten minutes, but Signdoc and their goalkeeper Saunders stood firm, with Luke Burdon’s low shot at the near post being the closest Athletic could come in the opening minutes of the match before seeing another effort from Casper Floyd fly just wide.

Without Signdoc applying too much pressure, Willesborough continued to push forward and their pressure was rewarded with twenty minutes gone when, after slipping through the Signdoc defence, Luke Burden put a shot past David Saunders at his near post, giving Athletic a deserved lead.

Willesborough’s dominance continued and they came close to doubling their lead but, despite a perfect lofted pass from Floyd, Luke Burdon was unable to convert the opportunity.

It wasn’t long before Burdon made up for his earlier mistake as, with ten minutes remaining in the first half he slid in his second goal of the game from a tight angle, doubling his side’s lead.

Signdoc’s first major chance of the match came to Kevin Dalrymple, but his free kick late in the first half was deflected into the hands of Paul Hyde, in injury time his cross-field pass fell to the feet of Ale Ellis, who fired wide, their momentum was quickly halted, however as half time approached.

Much like the first half, Willesborough began the second 45 minutes on top and after a couple of defensive mistakes Luke Burdon was able to complete his hat trick after a brilliant chipped effort which looped over David Saunders, giving Burdon, and Willesborough their third goal.

Nonetheless, Signdoc’s search for a goal continued and they came close when a great run from Ryan Cox ended with the midfielder unable to find a pass into the penalty box.

Willesborough’s attempts on goal went on, but after Casper Floyd missed the target Signdoc were able to counter attack, resulting in Matt Mabb being fouled on the edge of the area before Kevin Dalrymple fired the free kick at the two-man wall.

Burdon continued to push for another goal but twenty minutes into the second half his long range shot was well kept out by Saunders before Dean Hodges forced the ball away from danger.

Paul Hyde was called into action soon after, when Matt Mabb was able to flick on a long pass towards goal, the ‘keeper was able to prevent the striker’s header from looping in.

Mabb’s attacking partner Kevin Dalrymple continued to push hard, despite Signdoc running out of time. With ten minutes remaining he slid past Jack Scobie with ease but his low shot was well saved by Paul Hyde.

With time running out Willesborough’s search for a fourth goal continued, but the closest they could come was when a close range Casper Floyd Effort was steered away for a corner, allowing his side to see out the game, with Willesborough being crowned champions.

Lee James, the victorious manager was quick to emphasise the importance of his side’s quick, dominant start “we had been working on getting started quickly for a long time, it’s great that we were able to begin quickly and get an early goal”

“When the third had gone in I knew we had won it, that goal was vital”.

Willsborough Athletic: Hyde, Hurst, Floyd, Gibbs, L Burdon, Carter, M Burdon, Simms, Murrell, Akemtaj, Perkins

Substitutes: Denton, Boulden, Score, Roso

Sendoc: Saunders, Fill, Hodges, M Grieve, Holden, Cox, White, Crofts, Ellis, Mabb, Dalrymple

Substitutes: Martin, C Grieve, Young, Heathfield, Law

Referee: Mr W Gardener

Assistants: Mr A Andrews and Mr S Luke

Fourth official: Mr C Hadlow