Whitstable Town beat Whyteleafe to win the FA Vase at Wembley
The Oystermen had to come from behind to win the FA Vase trophy
Last updated 12th May 2025
Whitstable Town came from behind at Wembley Stadium to beat AFC Whyteleafe and win the FA Vase in a breathless encounter.
It was a fast paced opening 15 minutes, with both teams, in the ninth tier of the English pyramid, appearing at the home of football for the first time in their history.
And, with chances created at both ends, Whyteleafe took the lead with midfielder Daniel Bennett scoring the Leafe's first ever goal at Wembley Stadium with a cheeky chip over Whitstable's goalkeeper Daniel Colmer.
Though as much as the finish was special, the credit for the goal had to go to Gaspar Mico who's half turn away from the Oystermen's defenders, on the edge of the area, gave himself the space and time to thread it through to Bennet - who ran unmarked into the 12 yard box.
Chances for both teams followed, Whyteleafe coming closest but a spectacular one handed save by Colmer denied Aaron Watson from doubling his sides advantage.
As second half began, Whitstable increased their intensity and as the clock ticked into the 51st minute they were rewarded as Harvey Smith's shot, from just outside the penalty box, found the back of the net, creeping past George Hill - who couldn't sort his feet out and failed to get a strong enough hand on the strike.
At 1-1, the game opened up and after a spell of Whitstable dominance, Whyteleafe thought they were back in front, as Watson found himself through on goal but the number 9 couldn't apply the finish, as he was superbly denied by Colmer who filled the Oysterman's goal.
Though it wasn't to be the save of the day, that title went to Whyteleafe's Hill, who somehow, from six yards out, denied substitute Robbie Rees, with a strong, straight, stretched out left arm.
Then, with ten minutes added on, Whyteleafe substitute Rodney Eruotor cut onto his left foot and struck the cross bar with a curling effort from just outside the box that had the fully stretched Colmer beat.
After a breathless 90 minutes, there was nothing to separate the Kent and Surrey sides so the game headed to extra time, where Ronald Sithole should have won it for Whitstable after a beautiful cross found the striker unmarked at the back post, less than six yard out, but somehow the number 10 struck the post.
Though, less than five minutes later, Sithole was through on goal again, masterfully controlling a ball over the top, which he slowed down, before bending it into the top right hand corner past Hill.
However, the game wasn't done there, with Whyteleafe having their chances to draw level but last ditch defending and close ranges saves prevented them from finding the equaliser.
It meant, as the full time whistle blew around the ground, the pool of seaside red in the corner of Wembley Stadium erupted as Whitstable won the FA Vase for the first time in their history and gave their supporters a day they will never forget.
For Whyteleafe, they were left in despair, with their fans going home disappointed and left with thoughts of what could have been.