Bexley and District 3 v 1 Orpington and District

Under-11s KSFA Kent Cup Final

TWO high-flying neighbouring district sides met in the showpiece of the Kent Primary League at Cockmannings Lane to contest the season's first piece of silverware, writes Brian Page.

Currently in third position in the Kent Primary League, Bexley and District under-11s were led out by team captain Frankie Beale (Sherwood Park), to take on second placed counterparts Orpington and District under-11s.

Colin Bullar's Orpington soon tested Yusef Mersin (Bedonwell) in Bexley's goal as Sam Murray (Chislehurst) fired a second-minute shot goalbound.

The move was soon matched by Bexley's Fraser Moir (St. Fidelis) at the other end bringing Alex Tate (Eltham College) into early action.

Tate was then kept busy by Pelham's Michael Yeouart as Bexley looked to take an early advantage.

The young keeper was judged to have hindered Moir outside the 18-yard box resulting in a direct free-kick.

But he redeemed himself and saved well as Yeouart fired through a crowded penalty area.

After seven minutes spent in Orpington's half, Bexley eventually broke the deadlock when a probing through-ball from Jamie Smith (Hook Lane), found Moir who calmly collected it, turned and slotted past an advancing Tate.

With Smith being instrumental in Bexley's attacking midfield play they soon doubled their lead.

Yeouart's cross was pounced on by Moir and while his shot was blocked by the in-form Tate, Luke Clarke (Days Lane) was on hand to stab home the loose ball.

Orpington produced strong counter-attacking play from Joe Allison (Southborough) and Joshua Penney (Green St. Green), but were constantly thwarted by Harry Allen (Lessness Heath) and Shaun Brown (Dulverton) in Bexley's defence.

A spell of Bexley pressure ended with Clarke firing wide before the first half was brought to an end.

Bexley, managed by Dave Elliott, resumed strongly after the restart with Yeouart once again supplying Moir, whose shot was saved, before James Fargie (Tubbenden) threatened Bexley with a well-struck free-kick.

But it was another combination from Yeouart and Moir which brought Bexley's third goal as Moir saw lobbed the ball into the net.

Bexley came close to going further ahead two minutes later when a speculative 30-yard shot from Brown dipped just over Orpington's crossbar.

As Orpington looked for a way back Brown was forced back to defend with Allen and they strengthened their side with the addition of Sam Murray (Chislehurst).

Moir was denied his hat-trick by Trevatt, as he wove his way into the box and shot with Clarke and Joseph Raishbrook (East Wickham) both unable to score.

Then Orpington broke away strongly through a forceful run from James Pinnock (Southborough) and Allison met his cross with precision to pull the score back to 3-1 with seven minutes left to play.

Orpington were unlucky not to reduce the two-goal deficit when an unchallenged corner was struck over the bar from six-yards, enabling Bexley to once again launch yet another round of surging attacks with Raishbrook, Beale, and Harvy Bennett (St Peter Chanel) all having late efforts on goal saved by Trevatt.

KSFA Competition Secretary Stuart Turpin (Longlands School) presented the cup and medals in front of an appreciative crowd.

They had witnessed a match of the highest calibre between two of North West Kent's leading district teams.

Bexley and District host Dartford and District on Saturday April 1 in Kent Primary League action.

Bexley Squad: Harry ALLEN (Lessness Heath), Frankie BEALE (Sherwood Park), Harvey BENNETT (St. Peter Chanel), Shaun BROWN (Dulverton), Luke CLARKE (Days Lane), Jack KENSINGTON (Bedonwell), Michael MAIETTA (Old Bexley), Yusef MERSIN (Bedonwell), Fraser MOIR (St. Fidelis), Joseph RAISHBROOK (East Wickham), Jamie SMITH (Hook Lane), Billy TAYLOR (Danson), Nathan WILSON (Danson) and Michael YEOUART (Pelham).

Orpington Squad: Joe ALLISON (Southborough), Kieran BOON (Holy Innocents), Alex BRACE (Crofton), Adam CALDERWOOD (Eltham College), Paul COOK (Crofton), James FARGIE (Tubbenden), Max FITZGERALD (Oak Lodge), Jack LANGSTON (The Highway), Louis LENGTHORN (Crofton), Sam MURRAY (Chislehurst), Joshua PENNEY (Green St. Green), James PINNOCK (Southborough), Ian SCANLAN (Chislehurst), George SCUDDER (Oak Lodge), William SCUDDER (Oak Lodge), Alex TATE (Eltham College) and Mark TREVATT (Southborough).