Whitstable Town were crowned the Isuzu FA Vase champions on their maiden trip to Wembley after a 2-1 victory over AFC Whyteleafe.
Daniel Bennett opened the scoring on the biggest stage of all, before Harvey Smith levelled the scoring with a well-taken finish early into the second half.
Ronald Sithole then delivered in extra time to etch Whitstable’s name in the history books, as the Kent-based side sealed their first-ever honour in the competition.
Whitstable fared well in the early exchanges, creating the first opening for Nathan Jeche, whose effort from the edge of the penalty area landed wide.
But in the 17th minute, and with their first shot on target, Whyteleafe took the lead as Gaspar Milco flicked the ball towards Bennett, who picked out the bottom corner inside a crowded penalty area.
Aaron Watson looked to add his name to the scoresheet, turning his way towards goal after the ball was knocked free towards the forward, but Daniel Colmer saved low down to his right.
Finn O’Mara then headed over from a flighted centre, before Bennett attacked down the other end, hitting the ground after contact inside the penalty area. Still, Ruebyn Ricardo was unmoved by any complaints and waved play on.
Ricardo Thompson looked to get things going for his side on 41 minutes, but his byline cross was well marshalled by the Whyteleafe backline, who were quick to cut out any advances in the first half.
Whitstable came close to finding the leveller soon after the break as Fin Cotton hung up a ball to Jake McIntyre, who rose above his marker, but his header lacked the necessary purchase to beat George Hill.
Jamie Coyle’s side continued to ramp up the pressure and were soon rewarded on 52 minutes as Smith took aim from 20 yards, leaving Hill wrong-footed in front of the travelling Town supporters.
At the other end, Daniel Colmer was forced to dirty his gloves as Watson bore down on goal, getting up quickly after saving the first effort to deny Ryan Gondoh’s follow-up.
In reverse to the previous hour, the game began to open up as the two sides shared turns to attack. This time, substitute Robbie Rees looked to hook an effort past Hill, before failing to capitalise on a searching ball towards the back post minutes later.
Whitstable had the bit between their teeth on 70 minutes as Bennett came close to his second of the afternoon, curling an effort past the outside of the post with his left foot.
Smith’s lancing run opened up an angle for Rees to test Hill four minutes later, who was quick off his line to deny the Oystermen from taking the lead.
Whyteleafe strained every sinew to get over the finish line, and Rodney Eruotor came inches away from earning his side silverware in stoppage time, striking the woodwork with a curling effort before sending the rebound into the gloves of Colmer.
Instead, the clock ticked into extra time, where Ronald Sithole and Smith were both denied in the opening seconds, with the former snaffling up a loose ball, before the pair forced Hill into evasive action.
The frame of the goal came to Whyteleafe’s aid once more, this time keeping out Sithole, who turned in the rebound but the assistant referee raised her flag over on the near side.
Waters’ side couldn’t ride out the spell of pressure for long, though, as Sithole ran into traffic inside the penalty area, shifting the ball onto his right foot before picking out the roof of the net, earning his side silverware on the grand stage.
AFC Whyteleafe: 1 George Hill (GK), 2 Helge Orome, 4 Daniel Bennett, 6 Corey Holder, 7 Gaspar Mico, 9 Aaron Watson, 13 Alton Leeward, 22 Craig Braham-Barett, 23 Ryan Gondoh, 26 Aaron Goode, 30 Jordan Johnson-Palmer
Substitutes: 15 Jamie Mascoll for Mico 72’, 8 Eric De Melo for Orome 79’, 11 Rodney Eruotor for Watson 85’, 19 Zak Ansah for Bennett 90+9’, 3 James Teodorescu for Leeward 90+10’
Manager: Kelly Waters
Whitstable Town: 1 Daniel Colmer (GK), 4 Ricardo Thompson, 5 Jamie Coyle, 9 Harvey Smith, 10 Ronald Sithole, 11 Nathan Jeche, 14 Fin Cotton, 15 Finn O’Mara, 16 Mikey Dalton, 19 Jake McIntyre, 21 Connor Wilkins
Substitutes: 8 Robbie Rees for Wilkins 45+2’, 2 Jerald Aboagye for McIntyre 70’, 7 Albie O’Mara Knapp for Jeche 85’, 22 Joe Healy for Dalton 105’, 6 William Thomas for Smith 116’
Manager: Jamie Coyle
