Stansfeld under-23s beat Margate under-23s in the Kent Intermediate Cup final after twice coming from behind to take the tie to penalties.

Wednesday night’s match at Chatham’s Bauvill Stadium finished 2-2, and after winning the penalty shootout 4-2, Stansfeld manager Steve Axam dedicated the victory to their recently departed clubman.

Life president Brian ‘Tumble’ Almond died a month earlier at the age of 82 - a man the club described as “a driving force at Stansfeld for decades.”

Axam declared afterwards: “That win there is dedicated to Tumble.

“He played at every level, managed at every level at this club. He was a proper club man.”

Stansfeld had to do it the hard way against Margate after finding themselves behind early in both halves.

Sam Plant got them level late in the first half after Reece Greig had scored a fourth-minute opener, and George Bishop levelled it up again late on after Margate’s early second-half pressure had put them in front again.

The tie went to penalties where Sam Doyle, Ethan Daley, Luke Almond and man-of-the-match Joe Freeman converted. Margate put two penalties over the bar, ensuring it was Axam’s side celebrating a win.

The manager said: “It was an amazing game to be honest and to go 1-0 down so early, then to nick one back and then to win it on penalties, I was over the moon.

“The boys just don't give up, they just keep going, they’re non-stop. You ask everything of them and they give you everything.

“That just tops off our season. We deserve something and we worked so hard for that. I’m just so proud of the boys.”

Both teams had won their semi-finals on penalties, and Axam was confident that his boys could do the business again, with Sam Okuson in goal.

He said: “We said to our boys that if we score our five penalties we win. We've got so much confidence in our keeper Sam, he's unbelievable at penalties but they put two over the bar, so he didn't even have to make a save!

“It's a great win. I’m just buzzing for the club and everyone. It's a great advert for Stansfeld FC as well. It's brilliant.

“We've had a few semi-finals over the years, we’ve been knocking on the door with the under-18s and under-16s but to actually go and do, it’s brilliant.”

Stansfeld have a couple of league games left in the SCEFL Development West where they sit fourth in the league, performing well since transitioning from the Kent Youth League.

The team also made it to the third qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup where they were eventually beaten by full-time academy side Sutton United.

Margate under-23s, managed by Artur Hoxha, went into the match fifth in the Development League West.

Both teams had won on penalties in the semi-finals, with Margate beating Erith Town under-23s following a 2-2 draw and Stansfeld seeing off Folkestone Invicta’s under-19 academy on pens after drawing 1-1.

Margate came out of the traps the brighter and Greig opened the scoring early on from a corner.

Stansfeld’s full-backs were kept busy by wide-men Finnley Saunders and Iman Alam but gradually worked their way into it the match.

Plant equalised, knocking the ball beyond the last defender and finishing well past Margate keeper Blake Page.

Reggie McKone and Plant again went close as Stansfeld finished the half well.

The second period mirrored the first. Margate came out the stronger and took the lead when Saunders’ cross into a crowded area was diverted into the net, with Fabian De Oliviera credited with the goal.

Greig’s overhead kick went close as Margate dominated but once again Stansfeld got themselves back involved, with Louie Daley, Plant and Ethan Daley all having chances at goal.

An equaliser eventually came, with Stansfeld capitalising on a mistake. When the ball was played into the centre, Bishop was there to convert.

There was a frantic end to the game as both sides went looking for a winner. Greig fired over for Margate while Plant shot wide for Stansfeld and Doyle dragged an effort the wrong side of the post in the eighth minute of added-on time.

Stansfeld needed no goalkeeper heroics in the shootout, as two spot-kicks were hit over the bar from Margate, ensuring they got their hands on the trophy.

Margate: Page, Hanley, Lee, Geddes, Wardle, Ede, Alam, De Oliviera, Pitman, Greig, Saunders. Subs: Mirza, Martin, Churchward, Bristow, Summer.

Stansfeld: Okuson, Otobo, Almond, Freeman, Jolly, Dukelow, E Daley, McKone, Bishop, Plant, Woods. Subs: Beckwith, Flackton, Gray, L Daley, Doyle.

Referee: Christopher Bowdery