Kent Merit Under-13 Boys Plate Final: Ebbsfleet United 0 AFC Worthing 8

Five-goal AJ Whiteman produced a man-of-the-match performance as AFC Worthing proved too strong for Ebbsfleet.

The Sussex outfit dominated the showpiece at Sheppey’s Holm Park and their clean sheet ensured they lifted the plate without conceding a goal in the competition.

It’s little wonder that they’ve already collected the League Cup and are on course for a trophy-laden campaign.

They’ve certainly had to put the miles in with regards to entering a county competition in neighbouring Kent.

AFC Worthing manager Daniel Lawrence said: “It was a controlled game, we played football from the off and an enjoyable occasion.

“We didn’t concede a goal throughout the tournament so I’m proud of them.

“We’ve had a few noisy coach trips but it’s been worth it and we’re happy.

“We’ve only played about six league games but it’s going well, we’ve already won the League Cup as well.”

Three goals in the last two minutes ensured the scoreline didn’t do justice to Ebbsfleet’s improved second-half efforts.

Whiteman served notice of his ability inside seven minutes, his low drive beaten away by keeper Edward Lovell, before a clinical left-foot finish found the bottom corner to put Worthing on the road to victory.

Impressive midfielder Liam Thomas scored twice in the space of five minutes with almost identical goals from corners. His glancing header from William WIlson’s delivery found the far corner on nine minutes and then he repeated the feat from captain Louie Lawrence’s inswinging cross.

Thomas then turned provider as a rampant Worthing made it 4-0 on 21 minutes, setting up Whiteman to produce a composed close-range finish.

It took just two minutes of the second half for Worthing to add a fifth, Thomas hit the bar from the edge of the box