Kent Merit Under-15 Boys Cup Final: Greenway Aces 2 Ashford United 2 aet (Ashford United won 5-4 on penalties)

Ashford United won a pulsating penalty shoot-out to triumph in the Kent Merit Under-15 Boys Cup Final.

An entertaining cup final saw Greenway Aces twice lead before being pegged back in the third minute of stoppage time.

After 20 minutes without a goal in extra-time, the tie went to penalties with both teams taking eight spot-kicks before they were finally separated.

“I’m really pleased with the boys,” said Ashford manager Gary Gibbs. “They totally deserved it and have put in a hard shift all season.

“We didn’t have a ground at the start of the season because Ashford were putting in a new pitch so to go and win the cup final is brilliant.

“It was a brilliant game and fair play to Greenway Aces but someone’s got to win and someone’s got to lose.

“Before the shoot-out we just told the players that if they miss, they miss, but we’re going to be behind them whatever happens.”

Aces’ bright start was rewarded inside the first eight minutes when Aston Freeman put them ahead. They nearly doubled the lead as Callum Dunlop headed over a deep cross and Emmanuel Markis hooked wide from inside the penalty area.

Ashford levelled on 24 minutes, an excellent pass split the Aces defence and midfielder Ollie Fagg got ahead of the last man before slotting past keeper Zachary Keeble.

Aces were in the ascendancy but Ashford remained in the contest, thanks largely to their terrific centre-back pairing of George Wright and the faultless Frankie Mmins - deservedly named player-of-the-match as he often kept his side in the contest with some fine interceptions, not to mention excellent distribution from a calm head on young shoulders.

The willing Jack Eyre headed over for Aces, whose play was often dictated by the silky skills of captain Freddy