Kent Merit Under-14 Boys’ Cup Final: Bromley 1 Maidstone United 2

A goal in either half was enough for Maidstone United to edge a keenly-contested Kent Merit Under-14 Boys’ Cup Final.

The Stones defeated Bromley 2-1 at Sheppey United’s Holm Park on Sunday.

Maidstone manager Steve Smith said: “It wasn’t the prettiest of matches but it can be difficult to play under pressure at that age.

“The second half was a bit more open but we took our chances and that was the difference.

“Bromley are a terrific side and credit to them. We’ve played once before and they got the better of us, and I’m sure we’ll have a few more close encounters in the future.

“We changed our shape a little bit, it worked in the first half but we reverted to a back four in the second half as they went three up front.

“The boys have been a credit all season, they’ve trusted what we’ve told them and I hope they enjoy winning the final as no-one can take that away from them.”

Bromley went close after just four minutes when left-back Alfred Simmons strode forward and struck the crossbar from long range with a brilliant left-foot strike.

Maidstone responded and Zapheneth Kouassi’s header from a Blake Vince cross was comfortably saved before they were awarded a penalty for handball.

Kouassi stepped up and sent keeper Jack Macey the wrong way from the spot on 14 minutes.

Simmons again went close from distance for Bromley while Maidstone nearly doubled their lead in stoppage time but keeper Harvey Rostron pushed aside a 25-yard free-kick by Bernie Farley.

Maidstone appeared to be in control on 52 minutes when player-of-the-match Liam Rich perfectly headed in a right-wing free-kick.

But Bromley replied just four minutes later, Lorenzo Harrington-Pepper holding off the last defender as he ran into the penalty area and fired low