Teenager Dean Nayler proved an integral part of Corinthian’s play-off semi-final shootout success at Faversham on Tuesday night.
Nayler made key contributions at both ends of the pitch, as Michael Golding’s Hoops won 4-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw to progress to the inaugural Southern Counties East Premier Division play-off final at Erith Town.
With his side trailing 2-1 in the first half, the 18-year-old defender delivered an excellent goal-line clearance to deny 35-goal Faversham forward Stefan Payne before he got their second goal in normal time.
On Nayler’s goal-line clearance, Corinthian manager Golding, whose troops had initially hit back through winger Michael Hagan, said: “We said as a management team that, if it goes to 3-1, we probably don't come back from that. “They have enough experience and enough quality to then go on and win the game.