Middlesex FA 0 - 1 Kent FA

Kent Get Off to a Perfect Start!

Hamid Ishola’s 39^th minute strike was enough to secure victory for Kent in their opening match in this season’s South East Counties Youth Championship.

Kent travelled to Middlesex’s new facility to play on the impressive 3G surface and set the tone in the opening minute when Hamid Ishola fired inches wide. Two more chances came in the space of a minute as first Captain Kayden Turner and then Gerald Sithole were denied by the home Goalkeeper. Bobby Dunn fired a free kick narrowly wide as Kent dominated the early exchanges whilst also looking very composed at the back. Robbie Roberts then got in on the act as he headed over from a Bobby Dunn cross. Patrick Jackson & Kayden Turner then combined to set the former clear only to see his shot saved well at the near post. Kent then had the chance to open the scoring when Hamid Ishola was brought down in the box but Bobby Dunn dragged his spot kick just wide of the right hand post. Middlesex had their first real chance on the half hour but the long range shot was well saved by Connor McDonnell in the Kent goal. With halftime on the horizon Kent finally got the goal they deserved and fittingly it was scored by Hamid Ishola who had terrorised the home defence all half, he picked the ball up wide on the right and used his pace and power to get clear before slotting past the onrushing keeper.

Into the second half and Middlesex came close to levelling the match when they struck the crossbar and Kent then came close to doubling their lead when Gerald Sithole was put clean through on goal but his shot beat the keeper and went agonisingly past the post. Kayden Turner & Robbie Roberts also had half chances to increase the lead but there was always the factor that the hosts could score on the breakaway or via set pieces, however Harry Sargent & Adam Jones were solid at the heart of the Kent backline. With time ticking down Hamid Ishola beat the offside trap and raced clear, rounded the keeper but saw his effort superbly blocked on the line. Kent then did a great job of seeing out the remaining few minutes to secure the three points, a very impressive display that deserved more than a one goal victory for Kent.

Speaking after the match, Manager Ian Varley said “It was one of the best performances I’ve seen from a Kent County U16 team. We dominated the game from start to finish and played some really good football. The only disappointment was that we didn’t win by more goals but overall I was delighted with the win and performance.”

Kent Squad: Connor McDonnell (Dartford FC), Patrick Jackson (Bromley FC), Billy Edwards (Dartford FC), Dan Watson (Dartford FC), Harry Sargent (Dartford FC), Adam Jones (K Sports FC), Gerald Sithole (Kennington FC), Kayden Turner © (Bromley FC), Hamid Ishola (Kent Football United FC), Bobby Dunn (Bromley FC), Robbie Roberts (K Sports FC), Sid Gurung (Dover Athletic FC), George Osborne (K Sports FC), Caleb Edorh (Maidstone United FC), Joe Goad (Kings Hill FC).

For more information about Kent Representative Football please contact Matt Dixon (Football Services Officer - Competitions) on Matthew.Dixon@KentFA.com or on 01622 791850

See more photos of all the action here

Next up for the Kent U16 Representative Team is a Home match against Essex FA on Sunday 9^th December.