Kent Merit Under-13 Boys Cup Final: Long Lane Juniors 0 Sevenoaks Town 2

Sevenoaks ran out deserved winners with a goal in either half to overcome Long Lane at Sheppey's Holm Park on Sunday.

The wet weather made for a slick playing surface and both teams passed the ball around well with challenges flying in.

“I’m proud of the boys, we had a gameplan that worked,” said Sevenoaks head coach Louis Dixon. “We knew they had a few dangerous players and we dealt with them well.

“We were first to the first and second balls and to top it off the second goal was a great finish.

“We’re not the biggest side but we showed our passion and desire. I thought Eddie O’Brien was brilliant, along with Floyd Reilly. Their dangerman is their striker but they dealt with it well and he didn’t get too many opportunities.

“The second goal was coming. We said at half-time that we’d get more chances and we just had to keep our shape defensively. Cup finals are always going to be tight so I’m really happy for the boys.”

It may have proved a different story had Long Lane striker Troy Ogendengbie not directed his left-foot chip the wrong side of the post in the ninth minute.

Sevenoaks were excellent defensively, thereafter. Right-back Harry Sutcliffe set the tone with a couple of early tackles while centre-back pairing Floyd Reilly and player-of-the-match Eddie O’Brien impressed throughout.

Forward Emran Boudarga-Wischhoff had the ball in the net for Sevenoaks on 12 minutes but the assistant’s flag was already raised for offside.

Long Lane keeper Jenson Lockwood then saved with his feet to thwart Boudarga-Wischhoff following a speedy Sevenoaks break after they won possession from an opposition throw-in deep in their own half.

The breakthrough arrived on 22 minutes, the excellent Lucas Spearpoint was tripped in the box and