Sam Handley scored a superb last-gasp goal to send Ashford Hockey Club through to the Kent Cup final for the first time in 35 years on Sunday.

Handley pounced with just 13 seconds remaining to give Ashford a 3-2 semi-final win over Marden Russets. They now face either Gore Court or Holcombe on Sunday, May 10.

Keeper Keir Starley admitted Marden made Ashford work hard of the victory but said his side showed resilience.

Already without defensive lynchpin Oscar Hummerstone, they lost 18-year-old Josh Tutham during the first half with a broken nose and cut eye which required seven stitches.

Starley said: “We have played some seriously good hockey these last two months to survive in the South Premier League but Sunday was a different sort of victory. It was scrappy and messy but historic.”

Rob Playford's penalty stroke kept Ashford level at the break but they fell behind again before Paul Cheap's drag flick, and Handley then took centrestage, collecting the ball 30 yards out before drifting past four defenders and firing past the keeper.

Ashford's only previous Kent Cup final appearance was in 1974 when they lost to Bromley.