Kentish Express Ashford & District
Third time lucky for Kingwell
Victory was especially sweet for Pat Kingwell, the one United man to have appeared in the two previous losing finals. Kingwell played up front during the 4-0 loss to Beckenham at Tonbridge in 2014 and was one of those to see his spot kick saved in last year’s penalty shootout defeat to Sheppey at the Gallagher. The 33-year-old, one of five survivors from the Sheppey game to play on Sunday, said: “We did not really get started from the word go, maybe it was a little bit of the jitters. “We weren’t winning second balls but once we got into the game, we started to dominate. We should have been two or 3-1 up in the first half and Danny just said at half-time to get the ball down, don’t rush and we’d win the game which is what we managed to do.” Kingwell admitted the match remained in the balance all the time the score was 1-1 and both he and skipper Stuart West made important blocks in the second half. He added: “Both teams had chances and there were a couple of clearances on the line. “Mine (from Denzel Gayle) was a good block because at that stage it could have gone either way. “It’s always good to win whatever age you are and it’s lovely to have my kids – Jessica, 11 and Joseph, 5 – here to see me win it. I’m proud of the club, too. “The cup’s nice but our main aim really is to win the league. If we keep doing what we’re doing, I think we’ll be all right.”