A fairy-tale farewell goal for Taylor-Jay Heward capped Metrogas’ Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield final win over lower-division Aylesford on Friday night.

Only introduced as a late substitute, Heward netted a clinching stoppage-time goal in his team’s 4-1 victory at Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium, which ended any chances of an Aylesford comeback after a second-half John Brown goal.

That came after Metrogas skipper Joe Smith, Kenzie Parkinson and Daniel Igwe had put Metrogas into a 3-0 half-time lead.

“The second half is always hard because, if you’re winning 3-0, they have nothing to lose,” said Metrogas manager Wayne Priestman.

“We knew we would have to ride our luck in the first five or 10 (second-half) minutes because we knew they would come out all guns blazing.

“To be fair, we just said to the boys ‘Don’t go bombing forwards, just control the game.’.

“Maybe, that harmed us a little bit. But the fourth goal, I’m pleased for TJ, the lad that’s come on.

“He’s been with us for such a long time, but he’s moving away. This is his last game.

“For him to score and go out with a goal in a final, I’m just buzzing for TJ.”

But Aylesford - still challenging for the Kent County League Division 1 Central & East title this season, having won the Kent Junior A Cup last May - looked the far more dangerous team in the opening minutes.

They even netted in the first 60 seconds as captain Bailey Pearce fired home, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

Pearce was again involved in the fifth minute when he sent a right-wing delivery by George Hadley wide of Metrogas keeper Daryl Fishenden’s left-hand post.

But it was mid-table Kent County League Premier Division side Metrogas - a team which had dispatched Danson Sports, Long Lane, Hawkinge Town and New Romney on their way to the final - who went ahead with seven minutes played.

Skipper Smith came up from the back to break the deadlock from a free-kick despite Aylesford appeals for offside.

Priestman admitted: “The first five minutes, I felt they were on top. They’ve missed a couple of good chances.

“I think we were a bit nervous, to be fair. The boys were saying all day that they felt a little bit nervous.

“But once we got that first goal, I felt we were in control after that.

“I think we’re a team that, if we can nick an early goal, that really helps us to settle down a lot more.”

Targetman Igwe played a vital role in the next Metrogas chance. He played in dangerous midfielder Parkinson, who was denied by Aylesford goalkeeper Mark Sitton’s legs.

As Aaron Braithwaite’s Aylesford troops looked for a way back into the game, Hadley drilled into the side-netting before forward Pearce again failed to make the most of a cross from the right flank.

They were then indebted to the aptly-named defensive midfielder Harry Balderston on the half-hour mark at the other end as he excellently cleared off the line after Alfie Raishbrook had latched onto a well-weighted pass in midfield and rounded Sitton.

But just two minutes later, Metrogas did double their advantage with a stunning team goal that was of real top-class quality.

Man-of-the-match Alfie Fullbrook played out of midfield and found Igwe on the right wing. He brilliantly crossed to a stooping Parkinson at the back post.

“We try and play football,” Priestman explained. “If we play our football, we know we can cause teams trouble.

“Sometimes, trying to play football in the Premier Division, that can come back and bite you on the backside.

“But the boys did well with it tonight.”

Igwe then quickly went from villain to hero inside a minute for Metrogas.

Having collected a 38th-minute caution for time-wasting which left him walking a tightrope for the rest of the game, the striker made amends in emphatic style as he rounded Sitton to make it 3-0 to his side.

There was still time before the interval for referee Thomas Reed to hand out a number of cautions, with a challenge by Metrogas defender Harry Brierley on Aylesford skipper Pearce leading to a melee.

Aylesford, who had come through two penalty shootouts on their way to the final, seeing off Ramsgate Athletic, Fleetdown United, Borden Village and Kent United, knew a big second-half comeback and another spot-kick success was probably now their only route to the Shield.

Six minutes after the restart, Pearce was gifted possession, only to tamely shoot at Fishenden, while wideman Harvey Roberts went close at the other end.

A snapshot by Wells called Fishenden into action. He tipped over the crossbar, albeit an injury sustained while taking on the shot was also enough to end Wells’ night early.

Brown gave Aylesford a glimmer of hope of an unlikely comeback shortly after the hour.

Having caught the Metrogas defence asleep and forced a save from Fishenden, he remained alert from the resultant corner to score.

A free-kick by Hadley midway through the half looked to be covered by Fishenden, but did catch many by surprise as it clipped the crossbar on its way over.

As Aylesford continued to throw bodies forward in a bid to set up a grandstand finish, Parkinson - twice - and Roberts threatened to add a fourth.

Heward could have killed the tie in the last minute of normal time as he failed to hit the target.

Minutes later, however, the winger made no mistake.

He had loads of time to set himself before he shot past Sitton to make it 4-1 to Metrogas.

Priestman, the manager of Thamesmead-based Metrogas since 2022, reflected: “I’m buzzing.

“When I first came in to Metrogas, I said I wanted to get them into the (Kent County League) Premier Division and win a cup.

“We got back into the Premier Division last season and, now, we have a cup. I’m pleased for the players but, also, the chairman, Tim Morgan.

“Obviously, he has put a lot of trust into me - and the boys - so I’m buzzing for him.”

Aylesford: Sitton, Miller, J.Balderston (Cole 67mins), H.Balderston (Potter 73mins), Parris, G.Kingdon, Wells (H.Kingdon 57mins), Hadley (Bridge 77mins), Pearce (Hollington 67mins), Fawell, Brown (Pearce 88mins).

Metrogas: Fishenden, Wall (Kavanagh 84mins), Pell (Neizer 89mins), Fullbrook (Igwe 92mins), Brierley, Smith, Roberts (Hopper 81mins), Meledje, Igwe (Heward 89mins), Raishbrook (Chandler 89mins), Parkinson.

Referee: Thomas Reed.