Kent Merit Under-13 Boys Plate Final: Folkestone Invicta 4 Orpington 3 after extra-time

Player-of-the-match Joe Nicholson scored an extra-time winner for Folkestone Invicta following a pulsating final which went one and then the other at Holm Park on Sunday.

It means Invicta remain on course for a possible treble this season, with a League Cup final at Ramsgate to follow next weekend while they also have plenty of games in hand to improve their standing in the East Kent Youth League.

“It was an amazing game, a great game of football from start to finish,” said Folkestone manager David Adams.

“I’m so proud of the boys. It was end to end and I don’t think you could ask for a better game of football from players of that age

“The reaction from the boys after going back to 3-3 at the end of 70 minutes was unreal.”

Orpington keeper Harry London was booked as early as the ninth minute after he came rushing out of his goal to thwart Jack Wilcox’s progress. Wilcox sent the resulting free-kick straight at London.

Ellis Long, Kyle Collins and Luke Rafferty all made telling interceptions or challenges for Orpington as the opening half-hour provided plenty of chances but no goals until three arrived in a five-minute spell.

Orpington went ahead when the impressive Richard Ojo set up Max Walters, who produced a clinical right-foot finish.

Folkestone’s response came within 60 seconds, Beau Morgan’s crisp left-foot drive from the edge of the area levelling the scores.

Then Wilcox did brilliantly down the left to create himself space to cross and his inch-perfect delivery left Morgan with a tap-in from six yards to put Folkestone ahead on 34 minutes.

It was 2-2 early in the second half when Joe Soole sent Walters clean through and he took his time before producing another accomplished finish.

The game swung back in