Beaten finalists can look back on exciting cup run with pride

The competitive season ended for many of Faversham Strike Force’s youngsters - including in an East Kent Youth League Cup Final for the under-14 Lightning side - at the weekend.

Strike Force’s boys did the club proud in battling all the way through to Saturday’s showpiece at Ramsgate’s Southwood, seeing off local rivals Faversham Town, among others, en route. There was to be no fairytale ending, however, against Folkestone Invicta side who eased to an 8-1 victory. Argjend Nimanaj’s excellent solo goal gave the Force’s travelling support something to cheer.

Under-11 Lightning rounded off their league season with an excellent all-round performance at Canterbury Eagles, featuring a sensational free-kick from Riley Hawkins.

Zach Luong harried the opposition defence and finished clinically for another. Stand-in keeper Zac Maguire made some excellent saves and midfield dynamo Kian Gardner applied constant pressure, as the pair were jointly-named top players on the day. Charlie Starkey took that honour for under-10 Lightning against Ramsgate Red as his rock-solid performance at the back was embellished with some great ball distribution. Hamish Allison bagged a brace and Theo Freeman added another.

The under-9 Lionesses wrapped up their campaign with a great team effort against Margate, in which Caitlyn Bassett kept her team progressing up the pitch. But Ada Chapman was named player-of-the-match thanks to her positive play. Under-8 Pumas and Lionesses faced each other in a match featuring a superb goal from Imogen Palmar.

Clara Waller took home the player-of-the-match trophy for Lionesses while Orla Laker did likewise for Pumas. Connor Reeves bagged a hattrick for under-8 Hurricanes against Herne Bay Youth

Phantoms as Nicholas Gerdizhikov also scored direct from a corner. Goalkeeper Ethan Purcel was their man-of-the-match. Under-8 Tornadoes put in their performance of the season at Ramsgate Colts.

James Lovett was named best player as he was brilliant in defence, ran tirelessly and capped it off with his first league goal.

Isaac Agyemang scored a hattrick, with Tyler Jolly and Abel Kingsley also on the scoresheet.