2023-2024 Merit U18 Boys Cup Winners: Rusthall FC

Cup Final Match: Cray Wanderers 0-1 Rusthall FC

An early goal from Rusthall striker Hayden Marshall proved the difference in the Kent Merit Under-18 Boys Cup Final at Whitstable’s The Belmont ground.

Player-of-the-match Marshall brilliantly arrowed his shot into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Rusthall should have doubled their advantage but were thwarted by some excellent goalkeeping. Cray’s task seemed to get harder when forward Tommy Allen-Beattie was shown a red card for a poor challenge on Anthony Mepham. But instead they produced a much-improved second-half performance despite their numerical advantage.

It could have been a different story but keeper Jack Glassborrow was able to make a comfortable save from Corey Holden’s penalty.

Read the full report and reaction on the kentonline.co.uk website here.