Metrogas won the Kent County League Inter Regional Challenge Cup at Larkfield on Saturday afternoon, but they were pushed all the way by a spirited New Romney side in an enthralling contest. 

Metrogas led two nil early on thanks to two from Dan Igwe before Wayne Rogers bundled home from a free kick.

The Gas’ two goal lead was restored by the break courtesy of Sahid Kamara’s fine finish. 

The second period saw both sides looking for the next goal with chances at both ends, and really the real surprise was that the only goal came in stoppage time when Tom Walmsley crashed into the roof of the net which sadly from New Romney was too late! 

Metrogas started well and Harvey Mead’s early header was magnificently saved by Shane Gore in the Romney goal. Gore though wasn’t so lucky with the next attack he faced as Igwe curled home the opening goal. 

They were on top – Alfie Raishbrook’s free kick hit the side netting, and Mead again was denied brilliantly by Gore – and you sensed the second goal was coming and again it was Igwe who obliged when he prodded home after a corner wasn’t cleared. 

It was so nearly three nil when Alfie Fullbrook went close from another corner and Romney needed something and quickly.

Enter central defender Rogers who got on the end of Josh McCue’s free kick to power home past Daryl Fishenden to reduce the arrears. 

Warren Smith went close to levelling with a shot that was always rising but Gore was in the right place at the right time to deny Shahid Kamara, but when Igwe broke down the right just before the break, not even Gore could rescue Romney as the big striker turned provider for Kamara to walk the ball into the empty net. 

The second half flowed with chances at both ends – Kamara fired wide left of the goal when through; Fishenden denied Will Dempsey at a corner; Adam Riley whistled a shot across the face of the Romney net; Jack Fenton raced through as Metrogas defenders waited for a flag that didn’t come only to poke his shot wide; Rogers then cleared an effort from Kamara off the Romney goal line before being denied himself at the other end. 

Warren Smith was played in late by a free kick, and the winger’s ball into the box fell to Rogers, who was already celebrating a goal but somehow Fishenden made the save of the game to keep the ball out. 

Full credit to Romney for keeping going and they got their “reward” in stoppage time when Walmsley was on hand to drill the ball into the roof of the net after James Everitt had been denied by Fishenden, but it turned out to be too little too late as Metrogas took the trophy home. 

NEW ROMNEY – Gore, Walker, Dempsey, Binder, Rogers, McCue, Warren Smith, Fenton, Pickering, Walmsley, Perry.

Subs – Everitt, Wade, Stanton, Saunders, Rees.

METROGAS – Fishenden, Riley, Parkinson, Fullbrook, Brierly, Joe Smith, Mead, Meledje, Igwe, Raishbrook, Kamara.

Subs – Kavanagh, Cowap, Marsh, Wall, Ashley.

REFEREE – Mr. Dye