Corinthian manager Michael Golding reacts to their Kent Senior Trophy final defeat

Corinthian manager Michael Golding had no complaints as his side lost to Sheppey in the Kent Senior Trophy final on Tuesday night.

They drew first blood when midfielder Jack Mahoney found the net on 13 minutes but Ernie Batten’s Ites led 2-1 at half-time following a Warren Mfula double.

After the restart, Corinthian pushed for an equaliser and had promising spells, but they couldn’t find a way through and fell to a 3-1 loss as defender Ryan Sawyer put through his own goal in the dying moments.

“It didn’t really happen for us, to be honest,” conceded Golding. “I think Sheppey were worthy winners.

“I thought they won all the individual battles, they probably looked a little bit more up for it, and we have got no qualms with the result whatsoever.

“It was just disappointing for our small band of supporters and volunteers that we couldn’t get it over the line.

“But like I say, Sheppey were more than worthy winners of the game.”

Mfula may have struck twice but some stunning saves by Corinthian keeper Aiden Prall did stop him from getting a hat-trick.

“Aiden is capable of that. He is a great lad,” said Golding as Corinthian’s long wait for silverware goes on.

“I’m always on at him about being better and consistency in his game but, you saw with a couple of those saves, that’s what he is capable of.

“We’ve not had to rely on him too many times this season. Defensively we have been quite sound but, on Tuesday, we were poor.

“But he is a great goalkeeper and he will go on and play at a decent level in non-league, he will go on to bigger and better things. But he is getting a grounding here.

“He has played 200 first-team games now and he will take that onto the levels he will undoubtedly get to.”

Corinthian now play in Isthmian