Ramsgate had just enough firepower to win the Kent Merit Under-16 Boys Cup Final against a defiant Ebbsfleet side at The Belmont on Sunday.

Player-of-the-match Liam Tullis scored a brace with strike partner Fin Waddell also on target as the duo combined to devastating effect.

But it was an all-round team display from Ramsgate who recovered from the shock of conceding a soft goal in the opening minutes.

Manager Jimmy Egan said: “We wanted a fast start but they got the goal and we had to bounce back.

“Fin and Liam, they are some partnership. They didn’t have their best game but they are such a formidable duo. They will be a partnership for the first team for years to come.

“In the second half, the defenders did their job and defended, the midfield did their job and everything was going the right way.”

Coach Mark Buckingham added: “They are like a band of 15 brothers. We’ve won 16 out of 17 in the league so we will enjoy this win for a while and then put full focus on that.”

A fourth-minute error by Ramsgate keeper Dane Bough handed Ebbsfleet the lead when Charlie Young scored from close range.

It took Ramsgate until 19 minutes to get into their stride but they quickly turned the game around with two goals in as many minutes.

First, Waddell played in Tullis and he produced a confident low finish beyond keeper Archie Reid.

Waddell then held off Fleet captain George Francis before producing an incredible right-foot 20-yard finish on his weaker foot to find the top corner and put Ramsgate ahead.

Reid was then out smartly to make a good save at the feet of Tullis.

But Ebbsfleet showed plenty of fight, Young fizzed a free-kick from the edge of the box inches wide of the post before they equalised in first-half stoppage time.

The excellent Young burst clear but was upended by keeper Bough. Young, who else, stepped up to fire home the spot-kick and make it 2-2.

But parity lasted just three minutes of the second half as Waddell’s delicious right-wing cross was bravely headed in by Tullis to put Ramsgate back ahead.

They never looked back, although they were unable to add to their tally with Reid saving well to keep out Waddell’s volley before the Ramsgate striker’s backheel went the wrong side of the post.

Ebbsfleet’s best chance of an equaliser came with nine minutes left when Angelo Okorodudu twisted and turned his way into the penalty area but his shot lacked power to trouble Bough.

Ramsgate’s defence were excellent, particularly in the second half, with Ollie Moore, Mason Buckingham and Oliver Jackson all catching the eye.

Ebbsfleet United: Archie Reid, Rhys Sherwin, George Francis, George Bangs, Josh Cunningham, Charlie Young, Temilolu Babalola, Angelo Okorodudu, Lync Henry, Ethan Thompson-Hockley, Datiel Jackson, Alfie Clarkson-Woods, Ron Gawler, Jamie Asiedu-Ansah, Ethan Winchester, John Campbell.

Ramsgate: Dane Bough, Ollie Moore, Harrison Smith, Mason Buckingham, Dante Cairns, Xavier Alentis, Will Barras, Bobby Bale, Bailey McGill, Fin Waddell, Liam Tullis, Oliver Jackson, Vinny McSweeny, Nathan Howard, Joe Mileham.

Referee: Kayden Abnett.