DFDS Kent Junior B Cup Final: Kemsing United 3 Westerham 1 aet

Kemsing United and Westerham served a tasty derby in the DFDS Kent Junior B Cup Final at Maidstone’s Gallagher Stadium on Saturday.

There was no shortage of excitement with goals, yellow cards and red cards as the game twisted one way and then the other.

Kemsing led early in the second half only for Westerham to level the scores with eight minutes left.

That meant extra-time with Kemsing regaining the lead before Westerham were reduced to 10 men. A second red card followed shortly after Kemsing went 3-1 ahead.

The 120 minutes took its toll on many, including Kemsing manager Mike Daines, whose voice just about held out post-match.

“Listen to my voice, that says it all,” said Daines. “We’re absolutely delighted.

“Every player gave 110 per cent and after a long season we got what we deserved, it was a lot of time and effort so we’re delighted.

“Credit to Westerham, they got back in the game and the momentum shifted but we scored at the right times.

“Maybe we had a bit more youth on our side in extra-time but injury after injury made it tough for our guys.

“We wasted a couple of decent chances before they equalised and that always gets you thinking. So much goes into a day like this, for every club at grassroots level, so it’s very emotional. These are the days you dream of and always remember.”

The first half was most memorable for referee Chandon Chapman stamping his authority on the game. Westerham captain Danny Pledge was booked inside three minutes, quickly followed by Henry Bangerter for a shirt pull and Kemsing’s Conor Goodwin for a late foul.

The half was high in endeavour, if lacking a little in quality at times, although it needed an excellent one-handed save by Kemsing keeper Lewis Wilkins to deny Westerham’s