Kent Junior Cup R/U 1989-90


Late goals see off plucky Platt

Platt Utd  0   Ten Em Bee  3

Report courtesy of Paul Hart.

Ten Em Bee deservedly completed the double last Wednesday night at Otford when they lifted the Kent County (ARC) League Junior Cup with a skilful display against Platt.

Platt, making their second successive final appearance having been beaten by Westerham last year, finally succumbed to three late goals although the scoreline slightly flattered the Division Two champions. For much of the game the Mid-Kent side matched their opponents, who played some attractive football, but their lack of fire-power in front of goal proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Despite this defeat it has been an excellent campaign for manager, Rob Dobereiner's team who narrowly missed out on promotion from Division Two.

Both sides began cautiously with play mainly confined to midfield during the early stages and neither keeper was seriously tested. Platt's impressive Darren Fisher, who made several good runs, needed lengthy treatment after gashing his leg on a flint but later returned to the action.

Ten Em Bee created the first real worthwhile chance after 15 minutes when the dangerous Conrad Marquess sent a curling shot just wide of Steve Usher's upright. At the other end Trevor Shaw went close for Platt during a goalmouth scramble, following a corner which had been flicked on, but the Ten Em Bee keeper gathered the ball.

Ten Em Bee forced a flurry of corners and from one of these Usher did well to punch clear when under pressure, while from another Derek Dussard shot narrowly wide of the target. Platt were content to soak up the Ten Em Bee pressure with Peter Faulkes marshalling his defence well, but little was seen of their target men Pete Sebry, the former Brighton player and Gary Bowman who were kept well shackled.

The village side created their best chance on 35 minutes when from a free-kick the ball was headed down to Steve Gearing who got in a good shot but which left him needing treatment. In the 40th minute Sebry fired just wide of the post, while Usher did well to turn a well struck shot by Fitzroy Hurst round the post. Just before the the half-time whistle Fisher fed Bowman, who in turn put over a dangerous cross which the keeper did well to hold.

Platt showed more determination after the break forcing three corners in quick succession while Ten Em Bee's Cecil James finished off a nice move with a shot just over the bar. Usher then produced two good saves and Sebry got on the end of a Gearing free-kick but his header lacked power.

Ten Em Bee went ahead after 75 minutes with a well taken goal by Eric Dussard who drilled home a shot from a left wing cross and moments later they added a second when Andrew Prince latched on to a long goalkick and headed over the advancing Usher, who appeared to hesitate.

With three minutes remaining Ten Em Bee sealed their win when substitute Dexton Beason raced in to score a third as Platt's defence stood and watched. Just before the end Ten Em Bee hit the crossbar.

In a game well refereed by Mr M Manning, of Gillingham, Ten Em Bee's Dussard and Trevor Johnson were booked, together with Platt's Peter Green.

Team: S.Usher, M.Lovelock, D.Vidgeon, P.Hall, P.Faulkes, T.Shaw, S.Gearing, D.Faulkes, P.Sebry, G.Bowman, D.Fisher, M.Soames, P.Green

Dave Vidgeon and Darren Fisher walk out for Kent Junior Cup Final 1989-90