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Kent Merit Under-15 Boys Plate Final: Vinters Rangers 1 Wigmore Youth 3

Two second-half goals proved decisive as Wigmore Youth got the better of Vinters Rangers in the Kent Merit Under-15 Boys’ Plate Final at Sheppey’s Holm Park on Sunday.

Harry Elmer, Dylan Garlinge and George Durling were all on target while Wigmore were also indebted to man-of-the-match keeper Alfie Panks, who produced a series of impressive saves in the first half.

Wigmore Youth celebrate winning the Kent Merit Under-15 Boys Plate Final. Picture: PSP Images
Wigmore Youth celebrate winning the Kent Merit Under-15 Boys Plate Final. Picture: PSP Images

Wigmore boss Steven Bennett said: “It was a nervy first half from us and we took a while to get into it but once we started playing football the boys were amazing.

“It’s a bit emotional as some of these boys have been with us since they were seven or eight.

“Some of the saves our goalkeeper pulled off were ridiculous.”

Bennett has managed the side for eight seasons, first taking charge when he was just 17, and they could yet win the treble this campaign.

“Doing this role with these boys has been a really good experience and to have this Final at the end is amazing,” he said.

“We won our league last year - that was the first trophy we’d ever won - and we’ve got the League Cup Final next week and have games in hand in the league.”

Vinters Rangers under-15s (green) hold off Wigmore Youth under-15s. Picture: PSP Images
Vinters Rangers under-15s (green) hold off Wigmore Youth under-15s. Picture: PSP Images
Action from the Kent FA Merit U15 Boys Plate Final between Vinters Rangers and Wigmore Youth. Picture: PSP Images
Action from the Kent FA Merit U15 Boys Plate Final between Vinters Rangers and Wigmore Youth. Picture: PSP Images

After some early stops from Panks, Wigmore took the lead on 17 minutes through Elmer’s neat finish into the bottom corner.

Panks then tipped over to deny Archie Richardson but he was beaten just before the half-hour when Vinters equalised through skipper Harry Brooks’ free-kick.

Vinters were in the ascendancy before the break but George Stone could only pick out Panks, who then denied Ethan Eakins. Early in the second half, Panks was at full stretch to push Reese Back’s 20-yard shot behind for a corner.

Wigmore Youth under-15s (claret) put Vinters Rangers under-15s under pressure in Sunday's final. Picture: PSP Images
Wigmore Youth under-15s (claret) put Vinters Rangers under-15s under pressure in Sunday's final. Picture: PSP Images
Vinters Rangers under-15s (green) get ahead of Wigmore Youth under-15s. Picture: PSP Images
Vinters Rangers under-15s (green) get ahead of Wigmore Youth under-15s. Picture: PSP Images

Wigmore, who had gone close to taking the lead through Elmer and Joshua Dixon, went ahead on 64 minutes as Garlinge nipped in and rounded the keeper before slotting home.

They wrapped the tie up with seven minutes left, Durling showing a blistering turn of pace to get beyond the last defender before firing low into the far corner.

Elmer nearly added his second late on but he was forced wide after getting ahead of keeper Jack Mumford, only to be forced too wide and the chance was gone.

Vinters Rangers under-15s - beaten by Wigmore Youth on Sunday. Picture: PSP Images
Vinters Rangers under-15s - beaten by Wigmore Youth on Sunday. Picture: PSP Images

Vinters Rangers: Jack Mumford, Harry Brooks, Luca O'Brien, Will Lower, Sebastian Cazac, George Stone, Rhys Kennedy, Jack Fullager, Archie Richardson, Reese Back, Alfie Twyman, Ethan Eakins, Alfie Lewis, Zac Norley, Kieran Maberley.

Wigmore Youth: Alfie Panks, Edwards Crosby, Sawyer Cox, Elliot Jarrett, Joshua Dixon, Ronnie Simmons, Elliot Komorowski, Matthew Nicholls, Toby Sanderson, George Durling, Harry Elmer, Fred Floodgate, Rory Douglas, Michael Pattenden, Dylan Garlinge.

Referee: Yusuf Dogan.

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