Keeper Teddy Urquhart saved two penalties as Chatham overcame Cray Valley in the Kent Merit Under-13 Boys Cup Final at Holm Park on Sunday.

It was a case of redemption for Urquhart, who was able to put an unfortunate error behind him to show great maturity and play a big hand in helping his team triumph.

Chatham manager Steve Searle said: “Both teams probably didn’t play as well as they could do, the occasion might have got to the boys a little bit.

But we did enough to win it in the 70 minutes so the right winner came out on top in the penalty shoot-out.

“It was a great opportunity for the keeper to make up for his mistake so I’m really proud of the boys.

“He was very down after the goal went in during normal time so to bring himself back for the shoot-out, he should be immensely proud of himself.

“I think it’s a cruel way to finish the game without extra-time but we got through one round on penalties before so I don’t know whether that helped us or not.

“Well done to Cray as well, they were tough opponents and pushed us all the way.”

After a subdued opening period as both sides tried to find their rhythm, Chatham took the lead on 26 minutes when Luc Osborne advanced to the edge of the penalty area and expertly fired home at full stretch.

Chatham had further chances before half-time, Filip Zembrzuski sent an effort over the bar and it needed an excellent clearance to turn behind Fletcher Evans’ inviting cross.

Evans impressed down the right for Chatham but Cray’s defence was well marshalled by player-of-the-match Abraham Okeiyi and Teddy Youds.

Evans’ shot early in the second half was saved before Cray keeper Jack Macey produced a brilliant one-handed stop to deny Connor MacWilliam’s shot.

The pass of the game was played by Chats captain Jenson Fox, who strode out of defence and pinged a 50-yard ball to the feet of Zembrzuski, who sliced his shot wide.

But all the time the lead was only one goal, Cray knew they still had a chance of taking the tie to penalties - and so it proved.

With six minutes left, Shaun Watkins went for goal from 35 yards with keeper Urquhart unable to keep it out.

Urquhart did well to hold another Watkins long-range shot in normal time and it needed penalties to decide the winners.

It was Urquhart’s chance to shine and he produced two brilliant spot-kick saves, the second one low to his left was outstanding. That left Zembrzuski to step up and calmly slot home the winning penalty for Chatham.

Cray Valley: Jack Macey, Abraham Okeiyi, Finley Skinner, Markie Mulkerrin, Joel Orhenornare, Jacob Keen, Martin Ivanov, Frazer Brunyee, Shaun Watkins, Teddy Youds, Max Cluer, Olaoluwa Jinadu, Rasheed Salami, Hakeem Salami.

Chatham: Teddy Urquhart, Kardin Danyar, Jenson Fox, Michael Sullivan, Thomas Pool, Beau Andrews, Samuel Searle, Fletcher Evans, Luc Osborne, Mason Callander, Filip Zembrzuski, Connor MacWilliam, Ethan Clabon, Isaac Egan, Cameron Bit David, Morgan Simpson.

Referee: Adam Strickson.