Year 10 Kent Cup Final

Match Report on the Kent Cup Final Hurstmere School v Harvey Grammar School on Saturday 8th May 2021

 The 2 captains met in the middle with the referee for today’s game. Harvey Grammar School got the Kent Cup final underway from kick off. The first chance of the game fell to Hurstmere when number 3, Harry won a free kick on the left-hand side of the opposition's half which number 2 Charlie floated into the Harvey Grammar box, but the danger was easily cleared by the defender. The first half was evenly matched, with both teams finding it hard to get the ball down and create any clear-cut chances. Harvey Grammar did then create their only chance of the half, a long ball out to the left sided midfielder, who took the ball down and played a ball in behind the Hurstmere defence but Hurstmere goalkeeper, George was aware of the danger and was quickly off his line to collect the ball. However, the best chance of the first half fell to Hurstmere’s number 10, Frankie when a long ball was played through which Frankie did well to get on to before the Harvey Grammar defender, but an unfortunate loose touch allowed the defender to recover and eventually block the attempted shot. That was the last chance of the first 35 minutes. An even first half ended 0-0.

Hurstmere then got us back underway for the second half with both teams looking to break the deadlock. Hurstmere came out for the second half a much better side, applying constant pressure and were more composed on the ball waiting for the right opportunity which came 5 minutes into the second half when Hurstmere’s number 5, Bradley played a looping pass over the Harvey Grammar left back, which number 7 Tommy latched onto before being fouled by the Harvey Grammar goalkeeper leaving the referee no choice but to award the penalty. Hurstmere captain Henry, stepped up to take the penalty and smashed it into the left corner before tearing away and celebrating after putting Hurstmere ahead in the final. Before Harvey Grammar School got us back underway after the goal, Hurstmere made a substitution, number 7 Tommy making way through injury for number 14 Franky. Hurstmere became more comfortable on the ball after getting the first goal, which both teams lacked in the first half. However, Hurstmere did not get complacent and carried on applying pressure to Harvey Grammar School’s defence and eventually got their reward.

Hurstmere’s number 10, Frankie picked up the ball on the left-hand side and drove past the defender, but a heavy touch led the ball to the byline, but Frankie did well to cut the ball back, splitting the defenders, for number 2 Charlie to place the ball first time into the far corner with an excellent finish before celebrating with his signature golf swing celebration. Hurstmere thoroughly deserved to be ahead as they started the second half the better team. Another substitution occurred for Hurstmere, number 3 Harry making way for number 6 Ben, who is made his first appearance for Hurstmere ‘A’ Team and slotted in to the defence at centre back besides number 11, Ruari with number 12 Lucas pushing out to left back. Number 9 for Hurstmere, Ernie also made way for number 7, Tommy. Hurstmere continued their domination, with number 8 Blu's shot rolling just wide and number 9 Ernie coming close multiple times before Ernie picked up the ball on the left-hand side and cut inside of the Harvey Grammar defender before his shot took a deflection, wrong footing the Harvey Grammar goalkeeper. Luckily for Ernie, the goal went down as his as it was on target before the deflection. The game started to open up in the last 15 minutes as Harvey Grammar started to try and apply pressure to Hurstmere but Hurstmere’s defence stayed strong and composed which allowed Hurstmere to stay on top of the game.

Hurstmere then made their last substitutions in the game, number 5 Bradley and number 8 Blu made way for number 3 Harry and number 9 Ernie. Hurstmere then scored their fourth and the game's final goal as number 4 Henry received the ball on the edge of Harvey Grammar’s penalty area before laying the ball off to number 7 Tommy who then laid the ball of again to number 2 Charlie who sweetly struck the ball into the bottom left corner to score his second and Hurstmere’s fourth before celebrating with his signature golf celebration. The referee then blew his whistle to cap off a dominant display by Hurstmere who won the Kent Cup for a third time in a row, a new record.

The man of the match from today’s game goes to Hurstmere’s number 2, Charlie as voted for by the Hurstmere fan base.