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Kent Senior Trophy final: Sheppey United 1 Whitstable Town 2 match report

Whitstable came from behind to beat Sheppey in the Kent Senior Trophy final on Sunday.

Omari Hibbert's penalty had the Ites in front at half-time but Josh Burchell fired Town level after the break.

And Tom Bryant scored the winner in extra time to bring the Trophy back to the Belmont for the first time since 2007.

Whitstable captain James Morrish lifts the Kent Senior Trophy Picture: Andy Jones
Whitstable captain James Morrish lifts the Kent Senior Trophy Picture: Andy Jones

The first half took a while to get going with lots of huff and puff from both teams but not much quality early on.

Shaun Welford forced a diving save from Joshua Glover after Chris Saunders had rolled the ball into his path while at the other end, Timmy Babbington's attempted bicycle kick from Darren Cooper's cross dropped well wide of the Whitstable goal.

Saunders then felt he'd been fouled in the process of getting a shot away but referee Matt Pollington showed no interest in his penalty claims.

The Oystermen had the ball in the net from a corner but the whistle had already gone for a foul and as the half wore on, Sheppey started to impose themselves.

The change in momentum followed a flare-up near the halfway line. Luke Girt sent James Morrish flying, and his tackle was certainly late, but there was no need for Bryant to come rushing in as he did to square up to Girt.

Girt was booked but Bryant also received a lecture and from that point, the Ites seized the initiative.

Kent Reliance Senior Trophy Final. Sheppey United (Red/White) v Whitstable town (Yellow) Gallagher Stadium, James Whatman Way, Maidstone, ME14 1LQ Picture: Andy Jones (1416842)
Kent Reliance Senior Trophy Final. Sheppey United (Red/White) v Whitstable town (Yellow) Gallagher Stadium, James Whatman Way, Maidstone, ME14 1LQ Picture: Andy Jones (1416842)

Hicham Akhazzan drove through midfield and John Walker was cautioned for pulling him back, after which Hibbert had a powerful shot parried by Dan Eason.

The loose ball ran for Remell Davis, who rattled the far post with a fizzing low drive.

Sheppey began to turn the screw. Darren Cooper's left-wing cross was just too high for Babbington in the middle and Eason had to fly to his left to keep out Akhazzan's curling effort.

Two minutes before half-time, Sheppey were awarded a penalty. Jono Richardson, jumping for a high ball, had his legs taken from under him by Bryant and Hibbert kept his cool to score from the spot.

Whitstable manager Scott Porter sent his players out early for the second half and Walker sent a shot into the side netting within a minute of the restart.

Omari Hibbert (9) celebrates scoring from the penalty spot Picture: Andy Jones
Omari Hibbert (9) celebrates scoring from the penalty spot Picture: Andy Jones

But still the men in yellow looked sluggish and West had his name taken after getting caught out by Akhazzan and then fouling him.

Hibbert got free in the box and sent a low shot narrowly wide of the far post as Sheppey looked for a second goal.

However, the Oystermen were level in the 66th minute. The ball bounced kindly for Burchell in the box and he thumped a left-footed shot high beyond Glover to restore parity.

The goal breathed new life into Whitstable and Danny Williams, on for Welford, turned and got a shot away which Glover had to deal with.

Both sides had half-chances after that. Akhazzan flashed a cross through the six-yard box after making good ground down the Sheppey left, before Saunders sidefooted wide at the other end after Ricky Freeman had cut the ball back from the byline.

Whitstable survive a scramble on their goal line Picture: Andy Jones
Whitstable survive a scramble on their goal line Picture: Andy Jones

Williams saw his shot deflect behind after Freeman had chased Saunders' long ball forward and Bryant headed over from a corner but the scores were still level at 90 minutes.

Less than two minutes into extra time, Whitstable took the lead. Bryant got on the end of a left-wing corner and his effort was ruled to have crossed the line despite Sheppey's protests.

A shot from Girt deflected just over for Sheppey, who put plenty of balls into the box but found Whitstable hard to break down in the first extra period.

Porter's side had too much nous for the Ites in the end and their band of travelling supporters celebrated noisily at the final whistle.

Sheppey: Glover, Brunt, Cooper, R Saunders (Cox 97mins), Richardson, Girt, Babbington, Davis (Bradshaw 89mins), Hibbert, I Batten (G Batten 108mins), Akhazzan. Subs not used: Amoah, Clark.

Whitstable: Eason, Walker, Burchell (Sprosen 72mins), West, Gillman, Bryant, C Saunders, Morrish (Smith 108mins), Freeman, Welford (Williams 54mins), Murray. Subs not used: Fitt, Ruddy.

Attendance: 917.

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