Congratulations to the Cray Wanderers U18s (Kent Youth League Premier) who are the Kent FA U18s Boys Cup champions for 2024.25. This followed a 3-1 win vs Kings Hill at Whitstable Town’s, Belmont Ground, Michael Ihiedi collected the match ball for his hat-trick with two goals in the first half. Kings Hill pulled a goal back but Michael slotted his and Cray’s third four minutes from time. Here Charlie Bradford tells the tale of the game.
The Kent FA Merit U18 Boys Youth Cup Final
Sunday 30th March 2025, 2:30 PM @ The Belmont Ground, Whitstable Town FC
Cray Wanderers U18s 3
Ihiedi 29, 38, 86
Kings Hill U18s 1
Mulchay 77
In the day that club CEO Sam Wright left Cray Wanderers, could the U18s ensure he left by witnessing a trophy win for a youth section he’s done so much for over the years?!
It was off to sunny Whitstable to find out and complete with his Mum on Mother’s Day, the Cray youth team gave Sam the perfect leaving gift…!
The game started with a magnificent save a piece – firstly Kings Hill goalkeeper Lucas Brookman denying Cray’s George Brooke from close range in a save over the bar before Kings Hill’s Adam Cherry had a header to the bottom left well saved around the post by Cray goalkeeper Kevin Kardel.
Cray then proceeded to dominate possession and chances with it – Billy Wall having a shot clip the bar before George Brooke went to chip Lucas Brookman from 35 yards with the ball landing just past the left post.
After Cray’s Oliver Chiriseri had an effort to the bottom left saved, they took the lead in the 29th minute when Michael Ihedi headed a cross from the right into the bottom right corner.
Nine minutes later Ihedi got his and Cray’s second when a cross from the right was not dealt with by Kings Hill’s and may of struck a Cray hand (at least that what Kings Hill were claiming) as the ball came to Michael Ihedi who jinked inside and found the bottom left corner from six yards.
Cray had further opportunities to add to their lead before half time – Samuel Robinson and Michael Ihedi denied with a good double save before George Brooke bent a shot off the top left postage stamp. They therefore had to be content with a two goal lead going into the break.
HT: 2-0.
Michael Ihedi had another chance for Cray early on in the second half when his blast had to be palmed away by Lucas Brookman.
Kings Hill thought they pulled a goal back in the 53rd minute when Tommy Piles struck into the bottom left from 20 yards only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.
Kings Hill however did pull a goal back in the 77th minute when the ball was headed down to Fin Mulcahy to fire into the top left at a corner.
All of a sudden it was a nervy finish to the game for Cray but they need not have worried as up stepped Michael Ihedi to seal the trophy and his hat trick in style four minutes from time, firing a shot into the top right from the edge of the box.
Cray’s success at youth level continues this season with the U23s top of their league, Cray’s U15 girls team winning their London FA Cup Final two weeks ago, and now more silverware today. If that doesn’t show you what Sam’s done for the club at youth level (developing it from 9 teams to 43 with continued success) then nothing will! How fitting then that Sam was given one of the winners medals today by the team?!
And the legend that is Sam gave me a lift all the way home after the game – it’s not goodbye, it’s good luck!
FT: 3-1.
Cray Wanderers; Kevin Kardel, Callum Redman, Archie Morley, Luke Witter, Lincoln Hunter, Freddie Warwick, Oliver Chiriseri,
George Brooke, Billy Wall, Michael Ihiedi, Sam Robinson; Paddy McLaren, Ralphy Short, Carter Grant, Ben Raper,
Cameron McQueen
Kings Hill: Lucas Brookman, Freddy Preston, Alex Kirk, Adam Cherry, Dario Arsovski, Indy Robinson, Jacob Johnson,
Josh Bruce, Will Seage, Tommy Piles, Fin Mulcahy; Harrison Fryer, Cass Marshall, Cellan Wenham, Harry Drew, Ed Dyer
MOTM: Michael Ihedi (Cray Wanderers U18s) for his hat trick.
