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Zak Pescatore was at the double as Metrogas completed a cup double by winning the Kent Merit Under-13 Boys Cup Final.
A strong wind blowing straight down the pitch proved a decisive factor during a competitive game at Sheppey’s Holm Park.
Player-of-the-match Pescatore’s sharp-shooting proved the difference but Metrogas’ success was built on solid foundations at the other end, a point not lost on manager Garry Dunn.
“I’m over the moon, it was very windy and the ball was flying all over the place,” said Dunn. “We made the right call having won the toss to play with the wind in the first half.
“I’m immensely proud of all of them. We had a final last week against Sittingbourne in the League Cup last week which we won 4-0 so to keep two clean sheets in two cup finals is excellent.
“I know Zak got the two goals and deserves a lot of credit but the defence and the goalkeeper have been superb all season, but every player in the squad has played their part.
“It’s our first year at 11-a-side and we’ve come on each year, winning the league last year against so-called bigger clubs than Metrogas but we keep on improving.”
Metrogas’ Cody Bates quickly assessed conditions and delivered a long-range shot inside the first three minutes which was well saved by keeper Jack England.
It took 14 minutes for the first goal to arrive as Yannis Sissuh’s lovely right-wing cross was expertly swept home by Pescatore.
The lead was doubled nine minutes later. Another stunning assist, this time by Ryan Dioylo, sent Pescatore clear and he found the bottom corner.
There was nearly a third before half-time but Daniel Ajala headed a right-wing corner straight at England.
Then Pescatore was nearly in on goal again but an outstanding last-ditch tackle by Unique’s Max Robinson.
With the wind in their favour in the second half, the onus was on Unique to force their way back into the contest.
But they found clear-cut chances hard to come by as Metrogas kept their shape and high line well.
Long-range efforts from Brodie Baker and captain Lennie O’Connor were comfortably saved by Metrogas keeper Mosey Mills.
Unique’s best chance came on 53 minutes when Jack Redmen sent Malachi White clear but he hesitated before getting his shot away, and his effort lacked power and was comfortably cleared to safety. Then Mills was unable to gather cleanly a long free-kick but Baker couldn’t convert the loose ball.
Baker’s 40-yard wind-assisted free-kick was heading for the top corner until the excellent Mills tipped it behind for a corner.
There was nearly a fitting finale for matchwinner Pescatore in the seventh and final minute of stoppage time but his effort was turned behind for a corner.
Metrogas: Mosey Mills, Charlie Dunn, Daniel Ajala, Yannis Sissuh, Zak Pescatore, George Morgan, Cody Bates, Archie Cornish, Ryan Dioylo, Lennie Burnett, Freedom Aguagwa, Henry Lingham, Paolo Murphy, Riley Wait, Leo Agyemang, Jack Stillman.
Unique: Jack England, Rhys Humphries, Max Robinson, Freddie Boss, Ibrahim Jalloh, Harry Sansom, Lennie O’Connor, Emmanuel Islangi, Ethan Hartley, Lawrence Edwards, Brodie Baker, Dejon Owusu-Ansah, Charlie Witter, Jacke Reynolds, Malachi White, Jack Redmen.
Referee; Tom Baker.