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Dane Court Grammar School claimed its second county trophy of the year on Tuesday 17 April at Margate FC when it's 1st XI overcame pre-match favourites Sandwich Technology School to secure a wonderful victory in the Kent Schools U19 Cup.

The Dane Court side secured their berth in the final with some fine displays through the rounds and the semi final victory over Hayesbrook from Tonbridge was particularly pleasing. After a hard fought campaign of league matches which saw them finish as East Kent league division one runners up the final provided them with the opportunity to end the season with a tangible reward.

The stormy weather of the day gave way to a calmer evening and a healthy crowd of over five hundred gathered in expectation of a thriller in this East Kent Derby. Sandwich Technology School run a football academy and came with a talented team and the advantage of having quality coaching from the likes of local legend Mark Weatherly.

The first half saw the visitors begin well with lots of possession but their play was crucially always in front of the Dane Court defence. In contrast as soon as the Thanet side got the opportunity the probing runs of Shane Mitchell and Jimmy Cole took them into more dangerous areas. From one such break Mitchell dribbled the ball beyond the full back and drove a low cross towards the near post. This teasing centre saw the goalie lunge for the ball but only succeed in upending Cole who had claimed it first. Mitchell stepped up to calmly stroke the penalty into the opposite corner to the keeper's dive to give a dream start and settle nerves.

Back came Sandwich, overloading central midfield to dominate possession again. Their passing game was easy on the eye and their movement in support excellent. This was, however, countered by a determined and well organised defensive operation led by the centre backs Kris Hubert and Jordan Griggs. Sandwich did conjure up a good opportunity with a slide rule pass to their central striker but his shot finished a foot wide. Apart from a couple of headers that looped harmlessly over the bar that was the only real threat to Dave Parker's goal in the first half.

After the break Dane Court took a more positive grip on the game and began to have much more play around the visitors area. The two strikers were a constant threat with their speed of thought and movement and they were also proving an excellent first line of defence. Midway through the second period Harvey Colston won the ball in the attacking third before Lewis Ray took over and threaded a perfect pass into Mitchell who turned his marker and crashed his shot past a helpless keeper from 18 yards. Whilst this was a fully deserved extension to the lead and provided a nice cushion it was certainly not the end of the drama. The Academy side pressed harder but wave after wave of attacks were broken up by the solid two banks of four across the field. When they tried to go wide Weston Beckwith and Bradley Schulz thwarted their crossing ambitions and in the crowded central area the tireless Ray and Alex Miles provided great screening in front of the centre backs. However, signs of fatigue were more visible and a tired, clumsy challenge led to a penalty for Sandwich. Although Parker made a great effort to make the save his parry could not prevent the ball from finding the back of the net, 2-1 and with the pot now boiling there was still plenty to play for.

Having run their socks off Jake Justice and Colston had been replaced by Dan Reeves and Jack Whitling on the flanks and they brought a new energy to Dane Court's attacks. As the final whistle approached Reeves set Mitchell off down the left, his pass into Cole was cleared but he won the ball again, moved inside the closing defender and bent a beautiful shot around and over the keeper's despairing dive. What a piece of magic to complete his hat trick and the game, who needs Geoff Hurst?

From somewhere the referee found ten minutes of extra time which was played out in an increasingly tense atmosphere. Two free kick opportunities were wasted by Sandwich and Dane Court had one more effort cleared before the official's blast brought relief to the twenty two near exhausted bodies. So, a magnificent game finished, Dane Court's supporters and players reacted excitedly but were magnanimous in their defeat of excellent opponents. As skipper Schulz accepted the trophy from long serving Kent Schools Secretary Phillip Harding it was just reward for the fantastic effort on the night and the culmination of a long and successful season. Congratulations to one and all and a huge thank you from whippersnappers Wallace and White and Old Man Towe.