A strong performance from the whole squad ensured Kent claimed all three points and remain top of the U16 Group B.

On a cold and wet night at Aveley it was the hosts that started brightest with Kent keeper Roman Hall being called upon as early as the 6th minute to make a smart save to deny the lively Kryell Lisbie. Both midfields were trying to get hold of the game as defences were on top for much of the early exchanges. Alfie Prior had the first meaningful effort for Kent but Callum McEvoy make a good low save to keep the scores level. Harrison Corns also went close for Kent as the visitors began to get on top in the match. Kyreece Lisbie shot over for Essex on their next attack before Kent came within a whisker of taking the lead, great work from Reiss Skeen found Ronald Sithole but his shot was well saved by McEvoy. The Home keeper was called into action again on the stroke of halftime when he had to scramble back and clear a wayward back pass off his line. Kent took the lead moments before the interval, Callum Hudson brought the ball out from the back and beat a couple of players before finding Ronald Sithole, he brilliantly dummied the defender before firing past McEvoy into the far corner.

The second half saw Kent pick up where they left off with them very much on the front foot, and they duly doubled their lead in the 49th minute. A great team goal with Michael Peate, Alfie Prior and Atrin Almassi all involved and it was Prior who had the last touch coolly steering the ball past the onrushing keeper. Essex bounced back from going two goals behind with Charlie Sayers and Kyrell Lisbie both going close to reducing the deficit. The hosts task of getting back into the match was hampered when defender Josh Spink was dismissed as tempers flared towards the end of the match. Kent rounded off a thoroughly impressive performance with a third goal in the 79th minute, substitute Jeremiah Bamgbose had been a huge threat since his introduction and he used his pace and power to burst clear, his initial shot was half saved but he was first to the rebound to bundle the ball home bravely doing so and getting injured in the process.

A great squad effort from Kent sees them top the group and needing to just avoid defeat against Sussex in the final group match in January to reach the Final.

Kent FA Squad: Roman Hall (Holmesdale FC), Harry Lawrence (Phoenix Sports FC), Callum Hudson (Sevenoaks Town FC), Reiss Skeen (Sevenoaks Town FC), Michael Peate © (Sevenoaks Town FC), Adam Potten (Ashford United FC), Harrison Corns (Maidstone United FC), Alfie Prior (Ashford United FC), George Wilkinson (Margate FC), Sam Archibald (Maidstone United FC), Ronald Sithole (Ashford United FC), Atrin Almassi (Holmesdale FC), Harry Sikirwayi (Ashford United FC), Jeremiah Bamgbose (Ashford United FC).

The next representative football action sees the U18 Squad make the short trip to Aveley to face their Essex counterparts in the 2nd Round of the FA County Youth Cup.