Cray Wanderers’ persistence finally paid off as they defeated a spirited Foots Cray Lions side in the Kent Merit Under-14 Girls Cup Final at Maidstone’s Gallagher Stadium on Sunday.

The magnitude of Lions’ resistance was underlined by the player-of-the-match award going to defender Chloe Garner.

Wanderers manager Danny Stanton said: “Foots Cray made it massively difficult for us.

“I knew they were going to put five at the back and sit deep as they know we are quick up top. I thought we dominated the first half but didn't create a lot of chances.

“They were up for it as it was a derby and they were probably the underdogs but I thought they would run out of steam a little bit. If we had been a bit better with our finishing we could have won by a few more.

“Cup finals are there to be won so I can’t complain. The girls are doing amazing things and most of them are under-13s so they’re playing a year up.”

Lions’ gameplan was clear to see as they defended deep and in numbers before breaking at speed on the counter.

It led to the first goal after just 11 minutes when Lions’ Evie McTernan did well to get ahead of her marker and spread the play to Lily Compton. Despite initially being halted, Compton never gave up and battled through before the ball fell perfectly to Freya Jackson, who brilliantly picked her spot from the edge of the box beyond keeper Daisy Jarrett.

Wanderers got into their stride and Rayne Bryan’s shot was pushed away to safety before Lola Baxter’s left-foot curler went just wide.

The silky skills of Chloe Boys were a feature of Cray’s attacking play and she nearly equalised having twisted and turned past four players to make her way into the penalty area, only to shoot just wide of the upright.

In defence, Amelia Alexander, player-of-the-match Chloe Garner, captain Lily Spellman and Belle Gillet were obvious standouts for the Lions. Garner, in particular, read the game brilliantly and made several outstanding challenges.

It took just two minutes for Wanderers to equalise in the second half, Boys’ shot from the edge of the box found the back of the net.

Boys produced an exquisite chip that came back off the bar but Wanderers did go ahead when they quickly broke on 56 minutes.

Lions looked like they were going to be in on goal at the other end but a brilliant challenge by Maddie Waite stopped Evie McTernan in her tracks. Instead, Wanderers broke on the counter and Chidimma Nwokedi produced a devastating finish into the far corner.

It was tough on Lions who had defended with all their might and, but for two more excellent last-ditch tackles from Garner, the game could have been settled long before the final whistle.

There was late drama, though, as both sides finished the match with 10 players when referee Katie Allen rightly produced two red cards.

The win sets up Cray Wanderers for a big month ahead.

Stanton added: “We’ve got Reading away next week in the national cup semi-final, with a chance to play Blackburn in the final so that would be amazing if we can do it.

“We’ve got three more league games left and if we win all three we go to another national final with the likes of Sunderland and West Ham.”

Cray Wanderers: Daisy Jarrett, Jamelia Mukiri-Smith, Isabelle Fehy, Ellie Harkin, Faye Miller, Chloe Boys, Lola Baxter, Rayne Bryan, Chidimma Nwokedi, Heidi Whatton, Izzy Pantony, Sofia Stanton, Maddie Waite, Frankie Davis, Maisie Pitt.

Foots Cray Lions: Ella Vick, Amelia Alexander, Chloe Garner, Charlotte Odlum, Hattie Marchant, Lily Spellman, Freya Jackson, Lily Compton, Jess Eagles, Belle Gillett, Evie McTernan, Eden Fumey-Nassah, Rhianna Davis, Lexie Curtis.

Referee: Katie Allen.