Sport, like life, is made up of moments that we remember and when all is said and done, when the adrenaline has calmed, the boots have been cleaned and when the final analysis has been made we hope that we remember more good moments than bad. This Kent Cup Semi Final was made up of a number of significant moments and some will surely stick in the memory those who were watching and more so those who were participating.

The journey of this team to the semi final has not been easy and there was little doubt in our minds that this Semi Final would not be negotiated without adversity. Taking brushes to the pitch to sweep away standing water in two patches of one of 18 yard boxes meant a late pitch inspection by the match official but the go ahead was given. This team is by no means lacking in confidence but with a win here their confidence would be justified and they needed a performance to support their lofty ambitions. In the first twenty minutes Dane Court unleashed a torrent of attacking football that left the opposition bemused and bewildered after their early morning start from Tonbridge. Dave Parker in goal was a mere spectator as we attacked relentlessly. With Shane Mitchell and Jimmy Cole alternating between dropping deep and running the shoulder of the last defender the Hayesbrook defence were so preoccupied with them that Harvey Colston and Taylor Day had space to spare on the flanks. A move down the right wing led to the first significant moment of this game, Colston fed the ball to Mitchell on the corner of the area who drove a shot towards the top corner only for the Hayesbrook keeper to tip over. From the resulting corner the ball was played high into the area, a number of our attackers rose above the Hayesbrook defence to head in a goal that saw celebrations from players and fans, our early dominance seemed to have been rewarded. The ball was back on the centre spot for the restart, it was at this point the referee noticed a linesman flag being help up, the ball had gone out the back of the pitch before curling back in for us to head home. This disappointment seemed only to spur us on further and the luck we had deserved through our performance so far would see us take the lead with the second important moment of the game. Weston Beckwith and Day combined well down the left flank, an interchange of passes seeing Day with the ball at his feet to cross a looping ball towards the far post, the ball sailed over everybody including the Hayesbrook keeper to creep in between the cross bar and post. This moment was not to be taken away from us and we had secured the lead our dominance warranted.

Visibly unnerved by the pressure coming to bear upon their defence Hayesbrook did all they could to hang on but five minutes later we would find ourselves in a very strong position, quick passes in the midfield through Lewis Ray and Alex Miles guided the ball to Mitchell, his quick turn and determination saw him break the defensive line and find himself one on one with the keeper, in this key moment Shane would have to make the correct decision and there was no doubt in the mind of those watching that he would as he so often does convert the opportunity. His drop of the shoulder allowed him to round the keeper and slot home. 2-0 and so far all the key moments of this game had belonged to Dane Court. The psychology of a sportsperson however is a strange thing and this position of strength seemed to work against us. Whist seeking to maintain dominance we appeared to become nervous and tentative, our passing lost its crispness and our thus far solid shape began to fluctuate. Hayesbrook recognised the shift in momentum and showed why they had made it this far, they attacked down the wings and forced us onto the back foot. Our defensive four of Hubert, Griggs, Schulz and Beckwith remained strong but there was an air of desperation about our defending rather than the previous control. A long ball into the left wing channel found the Hayesbrook winger, he jinked past Beckwith to pull back the ball back to the onrushing midfielder whose low shot found its way past Parker for a goal that up until that point had seemed unlikely, a key moment had gone Hayesbrook’s way and the path to the final did not seem as smooth as it had previously.

Half time saw us seek to regain our composure, we had been the better team, we had been dominant and we were in a position of strength, by maintaining shape and discipline we would surely see out the game with a victory. Hayesbrook, buoyed by the finish to the first half emerged with real purpose in the second half and a change of shape saw them gain much success down their right wing, our left wing, Day and Beckwith had to be at their best, and were, to repel this threat. A number of corners and free kicks were bringing pressure to the backline but we were resolute, strong in the tackle and in the air. When called upon Parker dealt with crosses and shots with calm authority. Gradually the tide would change once again, midfielders found time and space to feed the wingers who would stretch the opposition full backs and provide crosses to worry the Hayesbrook backline. Jake Justice replaced Colston on the right wing and bought fresh legs when we needed them most. As we continued to work to seal the game Lewis Ray broke a tackle in midfield only to be brought down from behind, a free kick 35 yards from goal with 15 minutes to play, would this be the final key moment of the game to swing it in our favour?  Justice lofted a curling delivery towards the penalty spot where Ray had arrived, his back to goal 12 yards out would not seem a strong position but he distorted his limbs unbelievably to hit an overhead kick, the ball flew towards the bottom corner and Ray had created a moment that will surely live long in his, his teammates and the Dane Court supporters memory. This would be the defining moment of the game and for a split second it was met with disbelief as those who observed couldn’t quite comprehend how it had been achieved or who had done it, this moment was quickly replaced with jubilation as Ray was mobbed by his teammates. The final 15 minutes were played out with a degree of professionalism and control which shows how much this team has progressed this season. Chances came and went for Cole and Hubert but every effort took time away from Hayesbrook’s attempts to get back in the game. Griggs and Hubert held the line with control, Jack Whitling aided Beckwith in dealing with the opposition threat down the wing and eventually the final whistle blew. This group of young players had just earned the right to play in the final of the most significant school football competition in Kent and out of 64 entries will now compete with one other to be the best. The moments created in this game will remain long in the memory but these young men will seek to create more moments and memories in the final, a number of them, significantly, in their last ever game for the school. The opposition will be Sandwich Technology school and their quality is not doubted but neither will be our determination or desire to be the winners of the Senior Kent Cup, we hope to see all of you there supporting the team in March.