Whitstable Town 2 AFC Whyteleafe 1 (after extra-time): FA Vase final match report from Wembley Stadium

Ronald Sithole scored the winning goal to clinch the FA Vase for Whitstable Town in extra-time at Wembley.

Whitstable - backed by over 7,000 fans at the national stadium - conceded first but levelled early in the second half through Harvey Smith and the entertaining match went to extra-time where Sithole hit the winner.

Sithole - a former professional with Gillingham - had struck the woodwork moments before scoring the crucial goal to settle the match in Whitstable’s favour.

Whitstable’s road to Wembley started in August - along with 596 other clubs in the lower steps (5 and 6) of the game - with a first qualifying round win over Corinthian Casuals - one of nine opponents they had to see off to make it to Sunday’s final.

The Oystermen became the first Kent side since Deal Town to win the Vase - that historic moment coming 25 years earlier as Tommy Sampson’s side beat Chippenham Town.

Jamie Coyle’s men arrived at Wembley in great form, having only lost twice in 27 games, although those defeats came in the Kent Senior Trophy final and the Southern Counties East Premier Division play-off promotion semi-finals.

Player-boss Coyle was planning to hang up his boots after the game - and what a way to finish. He had named himself in the starting line-up with assistant boss Matt Longhurst directing things from the touchline.

A lively enough start from Whitstable led to a couple of early corners and a shot wide by Nathan Jeche from the edge of the box.

Whyteleafe - who could still be crowned champions of the Combined Counties Premier Division - opened the scoring in the 17th minute. Gaspar Mico showed good footwork in the box and played in Daniel Bennett, who beat keeper Daniel Colmer with a dinked finish.

Whitstable almost