A highly charged enthralling controversial end to the Kent FA’s Grassroots weekend saw Quested retain the Premier Cup for a fourth consecutive season.

East Malling more than matched the Cup holders but couldn’t find a way through a Quested side who finished with nine men.

In front through a James McDonald goal at the break, Quested could have been out of sight but for a series of fine blocks and saves from Malling keeper Nathan Bishop.

A wonder goal out of nothing from 19 year old Jack Bray – netting brilliantly from 30 yards into the top corner – levelled the scores before Louis Valencia got on the end of the move of the match to put his side back in front 17 minutes from time.

The drama was only just beginning as Valencia was shown a second yellow card five minutes later, and he was followed into the dressing room by Quested keeper Ollie Cotton after a melee leaving the holders to finish the Final with nine men.

Quested boss Steve Lester was a relieved man when he spoke to KSN after the game.  “Four in a row is an incredible record and we’re proud to have it. But didn’t we make hard work of it?”

“It was a lot closer than in past years, but I thought we should have been more than one up at the break, but their keeper got Man of the Match so that tells a story.”

“It’s the first year that we’ve had a keeper on the bench and am I glad that we did. It was one of the better Finals for the neutral but it wasn’t for me I can tell you!”

Paul Nicholls was a happy man even in defeat when the East Malling boss spoke to KSN.  He said, “I thought the boys acquitted themselves really well.  I think we may have given them too much respect, but as Quested have admitted, that’s one of the closest games they’ve had for years.”

“On another day we could have easily won. They’re coming to the end of their time whilst we’re a young side who hopefully will be back next year.  Our aim is to do what Quested have done and that will be our aim starting next season.”

Quested were in front after only 8 minutes when McDonald showed his predatory instincts as he darted in behind the defence to score, and ten minutes later – after a great through ball from Stuart West – he was denied a second firstly by a fine save from Bishop, and then just before the half hour by an assistants’ flag as he volleyed home Harry Lester’s flighted ball into the box.

Malling’s first real chance came on 30 minutes when Mark Hughes got the wrong side of the defence only to shoot straight at Cotton.  They were indebted to some great defending too as Ben Brown’s header was cleared off of the line.  McDonald was then denied yet again by Bishop – this time by the keeper’s right boot after the striker had been played in by a brilliant ball from Jack West.

West almost doubled the lead at the start of the second half connecting to Frazer Rogers’ knock down and forcing Bishop into a sprawling save before out of absolutely nothing a stunning equaliser – Jack Bray beating Cotton from fully 35 yards with an exocet of a drive that flew into the top corner!

The game was there now to be taken – Stuart West had two great chances to put Quested back in front – one was fired over and one (from Lewis Taylor and McDonalds swift break) saw Bishop excel again with his legs.  Rogers then went close with another header from a long throw as the Final tottered on a knife edge.

The goal that the holders were threatening eventually arrived on 73 minutes when Valencia got on the end of some great work from West to drill home – the keeper got a hand to the ball but the shot was too good.

Five minutes later, Valencia went from hero to villain as he was shown a second yellow card, and following the ensuing melee and a conference between fourth official and referee, Cotton was shown a straight red card leaving Quested to play the final 12 minutes with nine men.

Yet despite almost constant pressure and some seven additional minutes, East Malling couldn’t force replacement keeper Dan Eason into a save worthy of the name, meaning that for the fourth year in a row, the trophy was heading for the Medway Towns.

East Malling FC –  Nathan Bishop, Lee Blundell, Tom Bray, Simon Hibbs, Daniel McCabe, Franco Minieri, Scott Ibbetson, Ross Ibbertson, Lee Fincham, Nathan Faulks, Mark Hughes

Subs – Kavin Saisland, James Withers, Jack Bray, Perry Pointing, Ben Trimmer

Quested FC – Ollie Cotton, Jack West, Lewis Taylor, Ben Brown, Frazer Rogers, Michael Jenner, Sam Welch, Harry Lester, James McDonald, Stuart West, Louis Valencia

Subs – Ricky Freeman, Bryan Greenfield, Dan Eason, Gray Leigh, Tom Staff

Referee – Kane Dempster
Assistants – Peter King, James Beadle and Chris Myatt

Match Photos by PSP Images