The weather was warm and the sun out in full early summer glory on this Saturday at the end of May, for the final of the DFDS Kent Junior Cup A, between Orpington FC and Littlebourne Saturday FC, played at Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium.

Orpington FC play in the Kent County League Division 2 West, making the final with a 0-1 away victory at Falconwood in the semi-final. David Aileru (11 goals in 20 games) and Gregory Stevens (9 goals in 21 games) have been the top scorers for Orpington this season, as their team finished fourth.

Littlebourne FC (known as Littlebourne Saturday) play in the Canterbury & District football league Premier Division, where they finished as Champions this season. Goals for Littlebourne Saturday have come, almost exclusively, via Robbie Loomer with an incredible 40 goals in 23 games.

The game started with both teams looking to attack. There were early chances for Orpington and Littlebourne players.

In the 9th minute Littlebourne Saturday FC went ahead, with a neat finish by Matt Martin, exploiting space left in the Orpington defence, to put Littlebourne 0-1 ahead.

In the 30th minute, a cross from the Orpington right put the Littlebourne defence under pressure and Ashley Groombridge slotted the ball past his own keeper, to make the scores level at 1-1.

At half time, with the sun’s heat forcing more and more fans into the shade of the main stand, the sides went in with the scores tied at 1-1.

The second half was a truly cagey and stilted affair. Neither side could find the breakthrough moment and as the sun became hotter and hotter, players struggled with cramp. As the game moved into the final ten minutes, it became clear that the next goal would probably be the winner.

A fine cross from a Littlebourne free kick on the left hand side, gave an opportunity for the head of Jon Lewis who saw his finish bundled over the line, to break Orpington FC hearts and send the Littlebourne fans wild, in the 89th minute.

Littlebourne battled away in the final few minutes, to ensure they saw out a victory, which gave them a well earned 2023 Kent Junior Cup A trophy!