Market Hotel retained the DFDS Kent Sunday Premier Cup with a big victory against Under The Radar.
The Ashford & District League side didn’t have it all their own way against talented opponents who deserved their first-half equaliser when Junior Banyoko cancelled out Luke Burdon’s early penalty.
But when Market regained the lead through man-of-the-match Troy Howard at the start of the second half, momentum swung back their way at Maidstone’s Gallagher Stadium on Sunday.
And they completed victory with further goals from Robbie Dolan, Harry Byrne and a second for the excellent Howard deep into added time, while Under The Radar finished with 10 men.
“To win this back-to-back is beyond my wildest dreams,” said superstitious Market manager Liam Smith, who abandoned his shirt and tie at half-time in favour of club colours.
“I thought we were the better side for 20/25 minutes and then we allowed them to grow into it and they had a lot more possession than we did.
“We knew they were a possession-based side, and we were always going to give that up, but we looked like scoring every time our front three had the ball in the attacking third.
“They deserved to get back into it but if you’d offered me 1-1 at half-time in a cup final of this magnitude, I’d have snapped your hand off, and then we’ve won the second half 4-0.
“For Troy to score the goal he did after half-time showed what a young man he’s turning into and what a player he is.
“I thought his link-up play was good every time he got the ball and he should be very proud of his performance.
“I also thought Calvin Sedenu and Ryan Smith were good at centre-half against their quick forwards.
“Calvin, especially, held the backline together.
“I wouldn’t put this side to bed yet - three in a row isn’t out of the question.”
Lydd - 6-0 winners over Quested in last season’s final - looked like they’d have too much for their London opponents after a fast start.
And when Tolu Jonah went through the back of Burdon in the box, the Market man coolly sent Tyler Forde the wrong way from the penalty spot for a 12th-minute lead.
Burdon went close to a quick second after Howard dispossessed Harry Sargent, lifting the ball over the bar.
But Under The Radar stuck to their passing game and when the lively Mryro Costa’s 20-yard strike was pushed wide by Craig Smith, they grew in confidence.
Joseph Boachie and Bankoko were also keeping the Market defence on their toes and it took a fine block from midfielder James Rogers to deny Boachie.
With UTR continuing to boss possession, an equaliser followed in the 41st minute when Thomas Ngegba broke into the box and squared for Banyoko to slam home.
Market regrouped at the break and went back in front on 49 minutes courtesy of a superb 25-yard strike by Howard.
Burdon, on his way to a third successive win in this competition, sent a header wide from Ronnie Dolan’s cross.
But Market gave themselves breathing space on 71 minutes with Robbie Dolan firing a loose ball into the bottom corner following a long throw from Howard.
Jonah threatened for Under The Radar after a free-kick was worked to the back post but comeback hopes were extinguished with a double blow on 75 minutes.
First, they were reduced to 10 men when last-man Sargent brought down Howard on the edge of the box and was sent off.
And while the wall did its job from Tyler Sterling’s free-kick, the ball broke to Byrne, who added number four.
Brad Baker hit the post for Market before Sterling’s pass from inside his own half released Howard, who raced away and beat the keeper in the fifth minute of injury time.
Market Hotel: Craig Smith, Robbie Dolan, Brad Baker, Ryan Smith, Calvin Sedenu, James Rogers, Jarred Trespaderne, Ronnie Dolan, Ryan Philpott, Luke Burdon, Troy Howard. Subs: Harry Byrne, Tyler Sterling, Aaron Barnes, Tom Collins, Paul Mabb.
Under The Radar: Tyler Forde, Bradley Simms, Tolu Jonah, Harry Sargent, Veron Nzinga, Marcel Brown, Joseph Boachie, Eric De Melo, Junior Banyoko, Myro Costa, Thoma Ngegba. Subs: Sam Bailey, Jordan Downes, Vance Bola, Fred Obasa, Eri Akintimehin.
Referee: Simon Cutler.
