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Kent Merit Under-15 Boys Plate Final: Rising Stars Youth 1 Ramsgate 0

Player-of-the-match Harry Ebbs scored what proved to be the only goal as Rising Stars won the Kent Merit Under-15 Boys Plate Final at Sheppey on Sunday.

It was swift revenge for Stars, who had lost 5-1 to Ramsgate in a league game just seven days earlier.

Kent Merit Under-15 Boys Plate winners Rising Stars Youth Picture: PSP Images
Kent Merit Under-15 Boys Plate winners Rising Stars Youth Picture: PSP Images

Winning manager Sam Allen said: “It was a very tight game.

“I’ve been coaching this group of boys since they were six, the core of the team. To see how far they’ve come to get to this final and then to win it after Ramsgate beat us last week was brilliant.

“It was the same team but we set up differently and had a different mindset from last week, we were hungry for the win.

Rising Stars Youth under-15s show good control during their final clash with Ramsgate under-15s at Holm Park. Picture: PSP Images
Rising Stars Youth under-15s show good control during their final clash with Ramsgate under-15s at Holm Park. Picture: PSP Images

“Our heads weren’t in the right space last week and the surface at Sheppey made a big difference with the final on a 3G pitch.

“We’ve had an up and down season but I’m most proud of the friendships the squad have developed over the years and how they’ve grown together, it makes me really proud.”

Ramsgate started the brightest with Stars keeper Ryan Hancock twice called into action, saving Charlie Evans’ long-range attempt before doing well to deny Freddie Pettit.

Action from the Kent Merit Under-15 Boys Plate Final between Rising Stars Youth (yellow) and Ramsgate. Picture: PSP Images
Action from the Kent Merit Under-15 Boys Plate Final between Rising Stars Youth (yellow) and Ramsgate. Picture: PSP Images

At the other end, Joe Kendrick’s driven cross was nearly turned in by Sullivan Foley.

The only goal arrived on 25 minutes. Isaac Reed showed clever feet in the box and when his right-foot drive was parried, Ebbs was on hand to convert the loose ball at the far post.

Dylan Hazel headed over Ife Chukudebelu’s cross as Stars went in search of a second goal.

Goalmouth action as Ramsgate under-15s (red) take on Rising Stars under-15s. Picture: PSP Images
Goalmouth action as Ramsgate under-15s (red) take on Rising Stars under-15s. Picture: PSP Images
Rising Stars Youth drive forward in the Kent Merit Under-15 Boys Plate Final. Picture: PSP Images
Rising Stars Youth drive forward in the Kent Merit Under-15 Boys Plate Final. Picture: PSP Images

After the break, both sides looked to create openings but chances were few and far between despite the game being quite stretched at times.

Keeper Hancock was out smartly to save at the feet of Rio Takalobigashi before Jack Bodley’s corner was met on the volley by Kevin Dubis but Hancock again denied Ramsgate an equaliser.

Ramsgate - defeated in the Kent Merit Under-15 Boys Plate Final on Sunday. Picture: PSP Images
Ramsgate - defeated in the Kent Merit Under-15 Boys Plate Final on Sunday. Picture: PSP Images

Rising Stars: Ryan Hancock, Finlay Johnson, Noah Allen, Joel Bullen, Dylan Hazel, Felix Truong, Sullivan Foley, Isaac Reed, Harry Ebbs, Ellis Shaw, Joe Kendrick, Ethan Horton, Jake Govier, Liam Brooks-Usher, Ife Chukudebelu, Ashley Joyce.

Ramsgate: Jake Veasey, Cole Bradley, Charlie Evans, Zane Baker, Harry Reynolds, Owen Keeley, Freddie Pettit, Jack Bodley, Rio Takalobigashi, Jack Brock, Kevin Dubis, Kian Albuera, Mykola Podaretskyl, Oliver Tiltman, Charlie Calder.

Referee: Ben Harrold.

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