Year 9 Kent Cup

Dane Court 2 Holmesdale 0

HOLDERS Dane Court moved a step closer to retaining the Kent Cup against a Holmesdale side featuring Gillingham academy players.

Holmesdale looked for their powerful and skilful right winger at every opportunity, which put pressure on Alfie Paxman and Alex Ives.

Year 9 Court also looked to threaten from wide areas and created a number of chances through Paxman and Thajhan Yogendran, while Alfie Foster's strength in central midfield came to the fore.

A combination of luck and outstanding technique led to Court's 25th-minute opener.

A poor goal-kick went straight to Todd Jordan 30 yards out and his control and superb shot beat the keeper.

Holmesdale went more direct in the second half and forced an outstanding save from Henry Tucker.

Court looked jittery as the storm raged but skipper Dan Adams was immense and along with Ives, Downer and Harry Holden, ensured the lead remained intact.

The Thanet school made sure of the win when Jordan timed his run perfectly to meet Paxman's peach of a cross.

Court play Brentwood at home in the last 16 of the National Cup on Wednesday (kick-off 2pm).

Welling will be the visitors in the Kent Cup semi-finals on Saturday, February 25.

Senior Kent Cup

Dane Court 2 The Howard 1

DANE COURT'S senior boys scored twice in the last 10 minutes to reach the Kent Cup semi-finals.

Their opponents had beaten them 5-2 in earlier in the season and pipped them to the league title by a point, so there was no need to motivate the Court lads for this quarter-final.

Good defensive headers from Weston Beckwith and Lewis Ray kept the Howard out in the first half, while Court fashioned a number of chances, including one for Shane Mitchell whose volley was hacked off the line.

Court stepped up their dominance after the break but failed to make it count and were punished when a quick throw and far-post cross was fired home by Howard's winger.

Chances came and went but with Court still trailing going into the last 10 minutes, they turned the tie on its head.

From yet another corner, the ball dropped to Mitchell at the back post and his sliced volley found its way in.

Extra-time seemed inevitable after further chances went begging but there was a late twist when a simple ball over the top saw Jimmy Cole show greater pace and desire to beat the Howard keeper to the ball. He flicked it past him and had the simple task of rolling the ball home.

Dane Court host Aylesford or Hayesbrook in the semi-finals on Saturday, January 28. Kick-off is 10am with all support appreciated.