Kent FA Sunday Premier Cup Final – Sun FC 0-4 SE Dons
Sunday 14th April
Maidstone United FC – 10:30am K.O
Sun are the holders and six time winners of this trophy. They currently top the North Kent Sunday League with 12 wins from their 13 games played.
SE Dons are the YouTube sensations with over 100,000 subscribers to their addictive channel. They are in their debut season in the Orpington & Bromley Sunday Football League where they are unbeaten and one point off the top with games in hand.
The SE Dons invited their friends, they invited their family, and over 2000 of them turned up to witness a scene never staged before in Sunday League Football.They then had to deliver, and that they did. Outclassing the previous Champions in an awesome first half display that reduced Sun FC to shocked bystanders in this game that Don Strapzy and his pals are taking to a higher level.
The SE Dons led as early as the 2nd minute when Ryan Dolby cut in from the right wing and shot left-footed in to the bottom corner. The perfect start for the Dons.
Chances quickly came to extend the lead but Zak Ansah, Ryan Palmer and Dolby all saw efforts saved.
Sun’s first attempt came in the 15th minute but Aston Quinn shot wide, they rarely threatened after that.
A huge moment came in the 18th minute when George Snelling and Nathan Palmer both fell to the floor but as Snelling got up he trod on Palmer resulting in a Red Card after the referee had consulted with his Assistant.
Soon after, it was 2-0. Jack Sammoutis reacted quickest to a poorly cleared corner, controlling and superbly finishing from the edge of the box before taking the applause from the huge crowd.
Zak Ansah got the 3rd in the 26th minute. Combining well with Sammoutis he shot smartly past the keeper into the far corner.
The 4th was more fortunate and came after a strong run and cross from Abdul Aziz was deflected over the keeper’s head and into the back of the net.
As the two teams left the field for the break James Trueman, who had already been booked, argued with the referee about the decisions he felt had gone against his side. This led to a second yellow card for him and Sun were reduced to nine men.
With no chance of winning the game Sun decided to sit back in the second half and try not to conceded again. That worked despite the Dons having plenty of chances. Nathan Palmer should have scored when well placed; Ryan Palmer had a free kick straight at the keeper and Timmy Babbington forced Houckham into yet another decent save. But Houckham saved his best until the 88th minute when he somehow clawed out Nad Nwitua’s drive which appeared to be past the keeper before he reacted.
It didn’t matter though. This game had been won early on. Cue the final whistle and 2000 happy fans, many of which then entered the field of play to celebrate with their winning side. An incredible scene with no harm meant, just a bit of fun on a Sunday lunchtime.
The Dons invite the pressure on themselves by being brash and confrontational but they do it with good humour while trying to send out a positive message. Their following look up to then and are inspired by them. They smashed attendance records for this game with 2000 people paying to attend. Their League saw them at their best and their County FA saw what they bring to football in this area. On the biggest stage for them so far, they delivered. And from that everyone wins. Saturday teams should learn from them and not mock them as they are clearly doing something right. This is the future, embrace now or play catch-up later.
Main Photo: TouchlineP
Sun FC – Dan Houckham, Joe Denny, Andy Pierce, Ryan Robinson, Jordan Payne, James Trueman, George Snelling, Dave Briant, Joe Loft, Colm Deane, Aston Quinn Subs – Jak Cantwell, Will Johnston, James Thompson, Beau Driscoll, Jonny Mee
SE Dons FC – George Kamarusi, Nad Nwitua, Jack Moore, Salvin Kisitu, Abdul Aziz-Iyoubi, Montel Agyemang, Jack Sammoutis, Ryan Palmer, Nathan Palmer, Zak Ansah, Ryan Dolby Subs – Scott Guichard, Aaron Guard, Peter Martin, Dwayne Agyemang, Timmy Babbington.
Referee – Daniel Doyle
Assistants – Zack Moules & James Black
Fourth official – Nick Fruin
