Platt Sweep The Board   -    Hat-trick of trophies for village side

Kemsing Utd 'A'  1      Platt Utd Res.  2            Report courtesy of Derek Hodge

Platt Reserves ended the season on a high note last Tuesday night by winning the Fisher Shield at Riverhead United's ground to complete a hat-trick of triumphs.

It has been a memorable season for the Mid-Kent side who went into the final having already won the Hire-It Sevenoaks and District League Division Two championship and the Smith's Charity (Intermediate) Cup.

In winning all three competitions Platt emulated the same feat achieved by neighbours Borough Green Rangers last season.

While Kemsing United 'A' always had a chance of levelling the scores, particularly through the fast raiding Steve Lake down the right flank, Platt were generally superior in all departments. They played some neat football through the middle where Paul Brackell and Matthew Allen were always prominent and received good support from Martin Shooter and Steve Arnold.

Their counterparts, Roy Shinn, Michael Clark, Colin Pattenden and Terry Willmore were unable to get the same cohesion in their play although early on they often exploited Platt's back line where Andy Thompson was often slow to react to the forward thrust of Lake and Paul Newman.

Lake had a golden opportunity to put his side ahead in the opening minutes but with only James Petty to beat he shot straight at the goalkeeper.

At the other end Platt twice went close. Firstly, Paul Baker watched his shot go over the crossbar and then Arnold had a fierce drive cleared by the Kemsing defence who again came under pressure from a corner with Mark Wygens' header cleared off the line.

Kemsing took the lead on 10 minutes when Newman got behind Thompson to strike a looping shot beyond the reach of Petty into the top left-hand corner of the net. Lake then wasted a good opportunity to put his side further ahead.

A bad back pass by Shinn led to Baker being bundled off the ball inside the 18-yard area and referee Mr S.Williams had no alternative but to award a penalty.

Goalkeeper Petty rushed forward to strike a fierce drive into the net beyond his helpless opposite number Mark Chandler.

The start of the second-half was almost identical to the opening minutes of the first with Lake rounding Thompson to give himself a clear shot at goal but the winger's drive went over the crossbar.

Platt soon took advantage of this miss by taking the lead from a corner after good work in midfield from Shooter. The flag kick found the unmarked Allen who headed firmly past Chandler.

The Mid-Kent side continued to hold the upper-hand and dominated in the air. Kemsing's leading goalscorer Newman was tightly marked and had few opportunities to increase his tally for the season.

Platt substitute Dave Weller made an immediate impact down the left providing Arnold with a good chance but he blasted over from 20 yards.

The 'A' team created a couple of half chances in their bid to get back on level terms but both were wasted and Platt finished worthy winners.

Team: J.Petty, R.Gilbert, A.Thompson, M.Shooter, S.Arnold, P.Brackell, M.Allen, M.Wygens, P.Baker, S.Martin, J.Pude, J.Thornley, D.Weller.