Champions fall to Market in cup final

Ashford Sun Lge

Market Hotel lifted the Ashford Charity Trophy for the 17th time, running out

4-1 winners against Premier Division rivals Kennington at Homelands Stadium on Sunday.

Market recovered from falling behind to a first-half Lewis Horne spot kick to lead 2-1 at the break thanks to goals from Reece Mortimer and stand-in goalkeeper Ryan Philpott from the penalty spot. Two second-half strikes from Gary Lockyer sealed the victory for Liam Smith’s side. With regular keepers Darren Mendez and Ryan Kelly both unavailable, top goal scorer Philpott took over between the posts for Market Hotel who were also without Steve Ward and the suspended Ryan Smith. Kennington were also missing three key players themselves.

Newly crowned Premier Division champions Kennington took the lead midway through the first half. They were awarded when a penalty when Branson Alford was adjudged to have been brought down just inside the box, and up stepped skipper Horne to put his side ahead. Market were level just five minutes later when the Kennington defence failed to clear from Craig Calvert’s out-swinging corner, and Mortimer popped up to poke the ball over the line.

Five minutes before halftime, Market were awarded a penalty of their own for a handball in the area. Philpott came from the other end of the pitch to slot home the spot kick.

The game was eventually put to bed in the second half when two goals from Lockyer in the space of 10 minutes sealed victory for Market Hotel. Lockyer made it 3-1 after being fed by Calvert. Ten minutes later Lockyer was at it again, this time heading in from Buster Beaney’s cross.

Kennington: Bailey, Bond, Gladwin, Lynn, Comparetto, Alford, Horne, Wilkes, Johnson, T Scorer, Macleod. Substitutes: Hodges, Scobie, Yates.

Market Hotel: Philpott, Tomsett, Dryland, Ripley, Hadlum, Horton, Calvert, Regardsoe, Mortimer, Harris, Lockyer. Substitutes: Beaney, Guest, Penfold, Collins, Coyne.