Two cracking strikes by Ebbsfleet’s Adam Love helped seal their Kent Merit Under-14 Boys Plate Final success in style on Sunday.

The Fleet were always in control at Sheppey’s Holm Park as they had too much quality for Eastbourne-based AFC Langney.

Victorious Ebbsfleet manager Tom Ponton said: “It wasn’t the best performance from us but we came up against good opponents in AFC Langney.

“It’s what our boys deserved, they’ve had a bit of a strange season with games not always going ahead but it’s good to get a trophy under their belts.

“Adam is a really good kid and really professional in his approach to football.

“It’s our first season together, eight or nine came from another team but we’ve taken on other players and they’ve all bonded really well. There’s a good togetherness and they all work hard for each other.”

Ebbsfleet almost took the lead inside the first minute when Billy Ponton played in Francis Anyaegbuna but he was denied by an excellent last-ditch tackle.

Anyaegbuna made no mistake to open the scoring on 13 minutes, though, rounding off a swift one-touch move through the lines, he collected Bobby Datlin’s pass before confidently slotting home.

At the other end, the classy centre-back pairing of Alan Fentamen and Harry Webster were formidable. Webster adopted a shall-not-pass approach while Fentamen read the game perfectly, no more so than his excellent recovery to thwart Jake Priestman on 24 minutes.

AFC Langney were getting encouragement and two minutes later they nearly levelled, but for the bravery of Ebbsfleet keeper Luca Pollard. Nate Walker’s right-wing cross perfectly picked out Priestman, whose shot was turned away by Pollard who collided into the post in the process. He was able to continue after lengthy treatment.

The lively Anyaegbuna nearly doubled his personal tally at the other end, cutting inside from the left he advanced towards the penalty area before firing over the bar.

It was the presence of Anyaegbuna that created the space on 33 minutes for Love to open his account. With the Langney defence seemingly intent on stopping one player, Man-of-the-match Love nipped in and worked across the penalty area before brilliantly firing across into the far corner with his right foot.

Langney wasted corners in both halves and, unable to build up a sustained period of pressure, the outcome was never in doubt during a second half devoid of many chances.

Anyaegbuna’s audacious flick from Jude Baker’s cross went just wide before Ebbsfleet made it 3-0 on 63 minutes, Datlin playing in Love, who produced a crisp left-foot finish into the far corner.

Ebbsfleet nearly added a fourth in stoppage time when the speedy and industrious Datlin battled his way past the last defender. But he was denied a goal that his efforts merited when his low drive was well beaten away by keeper Harvey Hall.

AFC Langney: Harvey Hall, Mario Rossi, Mason Trott, Tayo Meredith, Jayden Adsett, Sonny Crook, Harry Cummings, Lewis Boddy, Nate Walker, Jake Priestman, Niall Canning, Alfie Haydock, Spencer Dell, Archie Mead, Harry Read, Ben Angyal.

Ebbsfleet United: Luca Pollard, Albie Gresley, James Nanson, Harry Webster, Billy Ponton, Alan Fentamen, Alfie Uings, Jude Baker, Bobby Datlin, Brody Stajowski, Francis Anyaegbuna, Aflie Barrow, Adam Love, Oliver Reynolds, Mohammed Khan, Toluwani Adebayo.

Referee: Kayden Abnett.