DFDS Kent Sunday Junior Trophy final: Woodchurch 1 Locksbottom Town 1 (Woodchurch win 4-2 on penalties)

Woodchurch cleared their heads after conceding an injury-time equaliser to win the DFDS Kent Sunday Junior Trophy final on penalties.

Freddie Gill’s first-half goal looked set to be enough for the Ashford & District League side at the Gallagher Stadium on Sunday.

But Locksbottom Town defender Louis Peto levelled in the ninth of 12 added minutes to take the final all the way.

The momentum may have been with Locksbottom at that stage but Woodchurch overcame their late disappointment to triumph 4-2 in the shoot-out.

Matt Sargeant, Jack Timms, Raven Mason and Jack Stride were all successful from the spot.

William Drummond and Luke Simpson converted Town’s first and third penalties, while Benji Orwell hit the bar and Fletcher Kettle fired over.

“We always believed,” said Woodchurch manager Charlie Stratford. “We’ve worked so hard for this.

“We had a heartbreaking loss in the Sheber Trophy (losing 2-1 to Biddenden) but we were so composed coming into this.

“Credit to Locksbottom, they worked hard for 90 minutes as well, and got that goal at the end which deflated us a bit, but we came back and won on penalties.

“There were 16 man-of-the-matches out there.

“I think we deserve it. I thought we were slightly the better team overall.”

Woodchurch had to be switched on defensively against Locksbottom’s lively attackers - and they were.

Captain Reece Jones led the way with an outstanding performance, making key interceptions and tackles.

James Nuttall and Ben Bradford did likewise.

Simpson hit the post for Locksbottom after jinking into the box and Theo Hart fired just wide after cutting inside Jones - the only time all morning the Woodchurch skipper was beaten.

A lovely pass from Barney Maybourne released Gill at the other end but