Goalkeeper Mark Henderson justified his manager’s faith after leading Grand Sports Club to penalty shoot-out glory in the Kent Junior C Cup final.

With spot-kicks looming after a goalless 120 minutes, Sports boss Chris Cooke was ready to substitute Henderson in favour of a taller player, just as opponents Ham Hill Athletic had done moments earlier.

He decided to stick with Henderson, however, and saw his No.1 save three penalties as Sports won the shoot-out 4-3 to complete a league and cup double at the Gallagher Stadium on Saturday.

“We did discuss taking him out for penalties because he’s quite small,” said Cooke, whose side also pipped Ham Hill to the Rochester & District League Division 3 title this season.

“Our right-back is really good in goal at penalties so we did umm and aah about making the change.

“But I could see him focusing and I thought, ‘No, let’s leave him’ and he saved three penalties and he was over there crying just now. He’s so happy.

“Everyone else wanted to take him off but I said, ‘No, leave it, I’m sure he’ll do us proud’ and he definitely did.

“It’s been an unbelievable season. There was no pressure on the guys today.

“We won the league a couple of weeks ago so this was a bonus game.

“Credit to Ham Hill, they’re a great side. That’s three games we’ve had with them this season and there’s not been a winner in normal time.

“It was always going to be tough but I’m super proud of the boys. I knew they could do it if they applied themselves.

“It’s brilliant, I’m so happy for the club, that’s the double.

“We’ve not been going that long. It started as people turning up for a kickabout seven years ago and it’s spiralled, and we’ve won the double. It’s crazy.”

The finishing didn’t match the commitment on show as good chances went begging at both ends.

Ham Hill, with the powerful running of skipper Ben Morris up front and craft of Jack Edwards in midfield, started well.

But Grand Sports, with David Obee a bundle of energy down the right, grew into it, while skipper and man-of-the-match Kola Ademujimi looked to make things happen.

Sports hit the bar with a header from Miguel Pascal Johnson’s free-kick but the two clearest openings of the first half fell to Ham Hill.

The first came when Pascal Johnson’s loose clearance was intercepted, with Joe Jackson playing in Morris, who fired over first-time.

Towards the end of the half, a lovely pass from Zach Harris released Ben Smith but he rolled the ball wide.

Grand Sports piled on early second-half pressure before missing a golden chance when Kaine Bateman blazed over after Ademujimi played the ball back into space after good work by Ki Read.

Jack McCormick’s finish let him down after combining neatly with Yinko Ojeniyi and keeper Chris Hover got something on Obee’s header with a goal looking likely from Sam Cooke’s cross.

Morris was denied by Henderson after a driving run at the other end while Jackson missed the target three times in the closing minutes of normal time.

Both sides continued to huff and puff in extra time.

For Ham Hill, Edwards couldn’t get his shot away when well-placed, Henderson just about denied Ben Smith after Mitchell Worsley won the ball in midfield and a deep free-kick from Reece Smith hit the bar.

Sports’ best chance before penalties saw Craig Swanson put the loose ball wide from close range after Hover parried a free-kick from Ademujimi.

Outfield player Ben Smith replaced Hover in goal for Ham Hill, shortly before full-time.

He saved Sports’ second and third penalties, from Read and Bateman, but with Henderson keeping out spot-kicks from Edwards, George Hendy and, decisively, Harris, it was Sports’ day.

Ademujimi, Pascal-Johnson, Sam Cooke and Elijah Famewo were the successful Sports penalty-takers, with Worsley, Wayne Watson and Reece Smith on target for Ham Hill.

Ham Hill: Hover, Hendy, Watson, R Smith, Lewis Skinner, Edwards, Jackson, Head, Jackson, Morris, B Smith. Subs: Lance Skinner, Elliot, Raymond, Harris, Worsley.

Grand Sports: Henderson, Grant-Hines, Pascal-Johnson, Hutchins, Dhillon, Ademujimi, Bateman, Read, Famewo, Holder, Obee. Subs: Ojeniyi, Swanson, McCormick, Cooke, Harpum.

Referee: Stephen Hughes.