A late winner by Paddy Flynn ensured Maidstone United triumphed in the Kent Merit Under-16 Boys Cup Final on Sunday.
A tense game took a twist in the second half when Dartford’s George Bishop collected two yellow cards in the space of three minutes.
That gave the initiative to Maidstone and while they didn’t create a host of chances in the
remaining 25 minutes, Flynn took the one golden chance that was presented to them.
Maidstone manager Tony Birchard let coaches Max and Ben MacDonald discuss their success.
“We played well, we came in earlier in the season as a collective and have turned the season around,” said Max.
“We lost 2-0 recently to them, the league champions, a fortnight ago so we were able to give it back to them.
“We changed shape and went from our usual four at the back to match them.”
Twin brother Ben added: “It was a close match, they fought really hard but the game changed when they had a player sent off.
“We have to give them credit but they’ve got to give us even more after we dug out a great result.”
Dartford started the brighter of the two teams even though a strong wind dominated proceedings at Whitstable’s Belmont ground.
The pace of Finley Williams down the right caused problems while tireless striker Davey Johnson held the ball up well.
Johnson did well to win the ball back before playing in Williams, whose touch took him wide and his eventual shot was deflected behind for a corner.
Williams was in again just before the half-hour but his fierce shot was well turned behind by keeper Lucas Brookman, who then produced another save a minute later to deny the same player.
Maidstone’s best chance of the first half arrived shortly after when Mark Boruk shot wide after being played in with just keeper Woody Leach to beat.
Maidstone were the better side in the early exchanges of the second half and Bobby Hulme’s cross picked out Boruk, who turned and shot low to warm the palms of Leach.
Dartford went close when Williams stood up a delightful cross from the right but Jacob Connor was able to get enough on his header to find the far corner.
Bishop was booked for a cynical foul near halfway on 53 minutes and his morning was cut short two minutes later when the referee produced a second yellow card. It seemed harsh to some as Bishop went to clear the ball, not knowing that the unfortunate Liam Wilson was ducking in to head the ball out of his eyesight.
Sonny Jackson’s long-range free-kick was comfortably saved and Akshar Santhosh shot wide as the game looked to be heading for extra-time.
But Maidstone made the breakthrough with two minutes left when a ball over the top saw Leach hesitate to come out and Flynn nipped to take full advantage and round the keeper before slotting into an empty net.
Dartford pushed bodies forward in the eight additional minutes in a bid to force extra-time. But Ted Miles had their only attempt on goal as his long-range effort was saved at the second attempt.
Maidstone’s Dylan Simpson was named player-of-the-match for an excellent defensive display.
Dartford: Woody Leach, Charlie Lottes, Josh Woods, Jude Lattimore, George Bishop, Lennon Diamond, Finley Williams, Davey Johnson, Oliver Cleveland, Jacob Connor, Alen Mula, Ted Miles, Sammy Regan, Isaiah Samuel Ogunleye, Calum Ward.
Maidstone United: Lucas Brookman, Alan Barchorski, Alfee Wincott, Bobby Hulme, Liam Wilson, Akash Santhosh, Mark Boruk, Paddy Flynn, Sonny Jackson, Dylan Simpson, Akshar Santhosh, Reuben Jones, Junior Eseka, Archie Dobbin, Ed Dyer, Luca Brown.
Referee: Henry Saxton.
