The final from two years ago finally got the go ahead on Tuesday night as Sheppey United came out on top in the Kent Senior Trophy Final against a resilient Corinthian side.

The game started with Sheppey out of the blocks the quickest, in the 3rd minute they nearly got the start they wanted when a long ball down the right saw Jefferson Aibangbee get to the ball first before the onrushing Aiden Prall and his shot from 18 yards came back off the crossbar.

Five minutes later a corner by Aibangbee into the 6-yard box found Captain Billy Bennett but his header went past the post. In the 13th minute against the run of play Corinthian took the lead when Oscar Housego’s cross shot was saved by Adam Molloy but went straight to Jack Mahoney who from 8 yards shot home.

In the very next minute Housego tried his luck from 20 yards but it went just wide of the post. Sheppey were now getting a lot of possession but could not get an equaliser and in the 27th minute Richie Hamill saw his 25-yard free kick go sailing over the bar.

Just a minute later their pressure told when they did get an equaliser, Henry Dasofunjo on the left wing crossed into the area for Warren Mfula who headed in from 6 yards.

Sheppey were now in total control and they kept knocking on the door and then in the 40th minute they took the lead when Dasofunjo on the right this time crossed to the back post for Mfula who had time to chest it down and shoot home from 8 yards.

In the 42nd minute Aibangbee got himself booked and could have been red for an off the ball incident with Jack Billings which saw a few of the players surround each other, Aibangbee was still seeing the red mist and lucky for him half time arrived.

The second half started with Corinthian starting the quicker, in the 49th minute a ball into the area was half cleared to Mahoney but from 18 yards his volley went over the bar.
This got Sheppey going and in the 52nd minute Mfula on the left cut in across the area before seeing his shot saved by Prall. Mfula had another chance for his hat trick when his snapshot from 10 yards was saved by Prall.

Corinthian started to have a lot of possession and in the 57th minute a free kick to the edge of the area was headed clear to Mahoney and his 20-yard shot went just past the post. Corinthian continued to have a go at Sheppey with the final ball lacking and also some good old-fashioned defending.

In the 70th minute Mfula had another chance for the hat trick when his 20 yard shot was parried around the post by Prall. Sheppey were now relying on breakaways and in the 81st minute an Aibangbee cross found Mfula and his shot was parried away by Prall.

In the 88th minute Sheppey sealed victory when Aibangbee on the right went past Frankie Morgan as if he was not there and his low cross was unfortunately turned into his own net by Jack Bath.

The last chance of the game came in the first minute of added on time when a long ball down the left flank saw Prall come rushing out but Mfula beat him to it and his 30-yard shot went just past the post. The final whistle went and the men from Sheppey could now celebrate a deserved victory.

Manager Ernie Batten was overjoyed with this victory and stated: “I think we were the better side in the first half but have to concede that Corinthian did have a good spell in the second, but we came back stronger and got our just rewards.”

“At the end of the day that was football and we’ve won the Trophy.” he said smiling.

Corinthian Manager Michael Golding had retreated to the dressing room, but rest assured he was disappointed.

CORINTHIAN:

1. A.PRALL 2. J.HOLLAND 3. F.MORGAN 4. J.BATH 5. J.BILLINGS (89) 6. R.SAWYER 7. J.JAMES

8. J.MAHONEY 9. J.STIRMAN (71) 10. O.HOUSEGO 11. J.MILLER (56)

SUBS USED: 17. E.OLOMEDE (56) 15. L.TANNER (71) 14. L.CLARKE (89)

SUBS NOT USED: 12. H.LASHLEY 16. O.MAJUMEGBE

BOOKINGS: 11. J.MILLER (36)

SHEPPEY UNITED:

1. A.MOLLOY 12. D.BIRCH 19. R.TENYUE 4. J.HOWLETT-MUNDLE 5. A.SAINS 6. R.HAMILL 7. L.GILLIES (83)

8. B.BENNETT 16. J.AIBANGBEE 11. H.DASOFUNJO 24. W.MFULA (90+2)

SUBS USED: 2. H.OROME (83) 23. D.GRANT (90+2)

SUBS NOT USED: 15. A.SHEPPARD 22. M.HAGAN 21. L.NORTHWOOD

BOOKINGS: AIBANGBEE (42).

REFEREE: Mr A. CONN

ASSISTANTS: Mr D. ROWLAND & Mr A.RODI

4th OFFICIAL: Mr. D.BLADES

ATTENDANCE: 397