Four goals from Hatty Rothwell sealed FC Greenwich a convincing triumph in the Kent County League Leckie Family Cup Final at New Hythe Lane over a luckless Smeeth & Brabourne. 

The Greenwich striker was simply unstoppable and continually in the right place at the right time to put the Ashford side to the sword as after being part of a great contest on the first half, they capitulated under the pressure after the break. 

Rothwell had the game’s first chance when he was denied by keeper Max Mowbray’s right boot early on, but it proved to be just a sighter as moments later the Greenwich striker didn’t miss and gave his side the lead. 

Michael Wills went close for Smeeth with a low drive, but they soon found themselves two behind as Rothwell took advantage of a first defensive error to lob the ball into an empty net. 

Indeed, the Greenwich man was inches away from a first half treble as he shot narrowly wide as he went through again, but Greenwich went in two to the good. 

And it was soon three-nil and Rothwell did have his hat-trick as the Smeeth defence hadn’t learned from their earlier mistake and the striker netted to all but kill the game minutes after half time. 

To their credit Smeeth then had their best spell of the game with John Anthony sending keeper Archie Aldous sprawling across goal to save and Matt Hambrook being denied by a smart save from the Greenwich keeper. 

It was soon however four-nil as Rothwell was played through by Erasmus Fordjour and the striker netter his, and his side’s fourth steering the ball wide of Mowbray. 

If possible, the keeper’s day was to get even worse soon after as after a “coming together” with Oliver Smith-Dance, Mowbray gave referee Watton no choice but to show the red card – indeed the keeper was three-quarters of the way to the bench before the card was brandished. 

The unfortunate Ashley Aslett went in goal and was powerless to prevent Envur Amin and Fordjour netting in the final ten minutes as FC Greenwich ran out comfortable and very worthy winners. 

SMEETH & BRABOURNE – Mowbray, Ball, Bradford, Jack Price, Miller, Finlayson, Ramsden, Wills, Hambrook, Millen, Waddington.

Subs – Aslett, Williams, Gill, Rob Price, Williams.

FC GREENWICH – Aldous, Stefanov, Winters, Scullion, Anthony, Dapaah, Edwards, Gaish, Wells, Strugnell, Rothwell.

Subs – Fordjour, Smith-Dance, Emin, Smeeth, Codd.

REFEREE – Mr. Watton