Today the Under 16s travelled to London to play Kent United FC, a team from the Central League in the Cup.

We started the game well with Barnaby coming close twice forcing their keeper to make good saves.

KUFC had two very quick wingers which were proving a handful for our full backs Owen and Camron. Midway through the first half one of their wingers was caught in the box, penalty. Their player stepped up smashing the ball top left but Will fully stretched got a strong hand to it, save! The ball stayed in play falling to one of their players outside the box whose shot took a massive deflection on its way through our crowd of players and ended up going in. 1 nil to KUFC.

HBFC responded well testing their keeper with a couple of good chances. Eventually Jack Oman who was running the midfield, evened things up shooting from outside the box and finding the far corner 1-1.

A few minutes later Barnaby Grace’s hard work down the wing was rewarded when he converted a chance just inside the box. 1-2 HBFC.

Half time.

Shortly after kick off their quick winger smashed a shot into the top corner 2-2.

HBFC responded well testing their keeper and firing shots narrowly wide. However KUFC went ahead again, their winger bursting through our defence with his pace and slotting a low shot past Will. 3-2.

This was going to be a real test for the boys to come back again.

15 mins from the end the boys continued hard work was rewarded after some excellent play from Henry, their keeper spilled a long range effort and Anton pounced upon the loose ball to head home. 3-3.

The final whistle went, straight to penalties.

Something the boys aren't use to, so they were asked by Roy and Anthony to step forward if they were willing to take a penalty.

Ethan Stone, Max Connor,Anton Bruce-Diaz and Zac Brown all volunteered and stepped up converting 4 good penalties.

KUFC fired one off target and Will saved his 2nd penalty of the game to send us through to the next round.

We play the South league winners Dover Athletic next weekend. We drew with them at home early on in the season so this will be another big test for the boys.