Kent Merit Under-15 boys plate final: Vinters Park 1 Orpington Mustangs 0

Josh Sibley returned from injury to score the winner for Vinters Park in the Kent Merit Under-15 Plate final.

A knee tendon injury had kept striker Sibley sidelined for the past month but he showed plenty of composure as he twisted the Mustangs defence one way and then the other before firing low into the bottom corner.

“Josh has been out for the last four weeks,” explained Vinters boss Sam Lawrence.

“He’s made a recovery, he’s had an injury so has been struggling to run and move, but obviously not today!

“He took his time on the goal, it was a heart in the mouth moment as you wonder whether he is going to finish it and put it away - and luckily he did.”

Vinters were also indebted to goalkeeper Jay Blake’s second-half penalty save while skipper Ethan Foreman was outstanding at the heart of their defence.

A cagey start saw both teams keep plenty of players behind the ball, keen not to give too much away.

Sibley won the ball back on 22 minutes but shot wide of the near post from an angle while his shot after Yusef Ali Sen’s through ball lacked power and was cleared to safety.

Orpington’s Dominic Miller had a penalty appeal turned down when he tried to power his way through while Del Russell warmed the palms of keeper Blake from distance after cutting in down the left wing.

Sen beat two players before playing in Emil Boby but his cross-shot went wide of the far post for Vinters before Orpington’s Joshua Picton - another defensive player to impress - saw his overhead kick from a right-wing corner saved at the other end.

Chances were again at a premium after the break, but it was Orpington who appeared to be edging it - no more so than when they were awarded a 53rd-minute penalty.

Foreman tripped Miller in the box but the