Player-of-the-match Harry Ebbs scored what proved to be the only goal as Rising Stars won the Kent Merit Under-15 Boys Plate Final at Sheppey on Sunday.
It was swift revenge for Stars, who had lost 5-1 to Ramsgate in a league game just seven days earlier.
Winning manager Sam Allen said: “It was a very tight game.
“I’ve been coaching this group of boys since they were six, the core of the team. To see how far they’ve come to get to this final and then to win it after Ramsgate beat us last week was brilliant.
“It was the same team but we set up differently and had a different mindset from last week, we were hungry for the win.
“Our heads weren’t in the right space last week and the surface at Sheppey made a big difference with the final on a 3G pitch.
“We’ve had an up and down season but I’m most proud of the friendships the squad have developed over the years and how they’ve grown together, it makes me really proud.”
Ramsgate started the brightest with Stars keeper Ryan Hancock twice called into action, saving Charlie Evans’ long-range attempt before doing well to deny Freddie Pettit.
At the other end, Joe Kendrick’s driven cross was nearly turned in by Sullivan Foley.
The only goal arrived on 25 minutes. Isaac Reed showed clever feet in the box and when his right-foot drive was parried, Ebbs was on hand to convert the loose ball at the far post.
Dylan Hazel headed over Ife Chukudebelu’s cross as Stars went in search of a second goal.
After the break, both sides looked to create openings but chances were few and far between despite the game being quite stretched at times.
Keeper Hancock was out smartly to save at the feet of Rio Takalobigashi before Jack Bodley’s corner was met on the volley by Kevin Dubis but Hancock
Read more on kentonline.co.uk
kentonline.co.uk
