Kent Merit Under-14 boys plate final: Cuxton 1991 Warriors Blue 1 Danson Sports 2

It was certainly a case of practice makes perfect for Danson Sports when they won the Kent Merit Under-14 Plate final with a narrow victory over Cuxton 91 Warriors Blue.

They got on the road to victory from a fourth-minute corner as George Stiles’ delivery was hooked in by the unmarked Enzo Bia.

Manager Jamie Start revealed: “We’ve been practising corners all week so to score from one is unbelievable.

“We’ve conceded from plenty of corners this season so to score from one when we’ve been practising was gratifying.”

The goal capped a fast start by Danson, who could have been ahead inside the opening minute but for some excellent goalkeeping by Quinlan Mason, who saved bravely at the feet of Isiah Samuel, whose pace got him behind the defence.

Man-of-the-match Samuel matched his good pace with clever footwork and was a constant threat with his direct running throughout.

Cuxton gathered themselves and Connor Truelove shot wide from their first opening before they equalised on 18 minutes when Henry Gaston delivered an expert free-kick over the wall and beyond the reach of keeper Ethan Start.

Tyler Cooper then saw his long-range shot saved by Smart as Cuxton rallied but it was Danson who finished the half on top - and they were back ahead before the break.

Thomas Lockhart hit the top of the bar from distance before Danson scored two minutes into stoppage time. Stiles was again the provider, his expert through ball found the perfectly-timed run of Samuel, who finished beyond Mason.

In the second half Samuel twice fashioned opportunities that were brilliantly saved by Mason, who didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.

Cuxton almost levelled when Alfie Hagger took advantage of some defensive indecision but Start made a fine