Woodchurch cleared their heads after conceding an injury-time equaliser to win the DFDS Kent Sunday Junior Trophy final on penalties.

Freddie Gill’s first-half goal looked set to be enough for the Ashford & District League side at the Gallagher Stadium on Sunday.

But Locksbottom Town defender Louis Peto levelled in the ninth of 12 added minutes to take the final all the way.

The momentum may have been with Locksbottom at that stage but Woodchurch overcame their late disappointment to triumph 4-2 in the shoot-out.

Matt Sargeant, Jack Timms, Raven Mason and Jack Stride were all successful from the spot.

William Drummond and Luke Simpson converted Town’s first and third penalties, while Benji Orwell hit the bar and Fletcher Kettle fired over.

“We always believed,” said Woodchurch manager Charlie Stratford. “We’ve worked so hard for this.

“We had a heartbreaking loss in the Sheber Trophy (losing 2-1 to Biddenden) but we were so composed coming into this.

“Credit to Locksbottom, they worked hard for 90 minutes as well, and got that goal at the end which deflated us a bit, but we came back and won on penalties.

“There were 16 man-of-the-matches out there.

“I think we deserve it. I thought we were slightly the better team overall.”

Woodchurch had to be switched on defensively against Locksbottom’s lively attackers - and they were.

Captain Reece Jones led the way with an outstanding performance, making key interceptions and tackles.

James Nuttall and Ben Bradford did likewise.

Simpson hit the post for Locksbottom after jinking into the box and Theo Hart fired just wide after cutting inside Jones - the only time all morning the Woodchurch skipper was beaten.

A lovely pass from Barney Maybourne released Gill at the other end but he couldn’t beat Joe Dolby and while Hart rounded James Solly and finished for Locksbottom, the flag went up for offside.

Woodchurch opened the scoring in the 39th minute.

Jones made a great tackle in his own half to set up a counter-attack and the ball was played up to Gill, who went through on goal and finished coolly.

Dolby saved well from Gill midway through the second half before Solly came off his line to thwart Jake Bovey in a one-on-one as the Town man tried to go round him.

The ball ended up back with Bovey, via Simpson, but Solly smothered.

Woodchurch had a couple of chances to finish the tie in injury time.

Dolby was equal to a fine strike from Sargeant, following a neat turn just inside the area, then Callum Shaw missed from close range following a swift counter-attack.

Locksbottom were celebrating when Peto hooked home the equaliser from Hart’s corner deep into added time.

But the shoot-out went Woodchurch’s way, with Stride slotting the decisive kick.

Woodchurch: James Solly, Reece Jones, James Nuttall, Ben Bradford, Barney Maybourne, Jack Timms, Kris Young, Freddie Gill, Ryan Ford, Harry Newick, James O’Brien. Subs: Raven Mason, Jack Stride, Callum Shaw, Fenn Peters, Matt Sargeant.

Locksbottom Town: Joe Dolby, Joe Lee, Fletcher Kettle, William Drummond, George Porter, Louis Peto, Theo Hart, Luke Simpson, Joe Hykin, James Hitchcock, Benji Orwell. Subs: Tommy McCarthy, Jake Bovey, Louis Lam, Hayden Blake, Joe Whitlock.

Referee: Paul Westlake.