WEMBLEY HEROES: Hessenthaler: Kent Football is on the map - EXCLUSIVE

DOVER ATHLETIC player-manager Andy Hessenthaler believes Kent football is now and truly on the map following Ebbsfleet United’s Wembley glory yesterday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Fleet HEROES defeated stunned favourites Torquay United in front of 40,186 at Wembley Stadium to bring the FA Carlsberg Trophy to Kent for the very first time in the competition’s 39-year history.

Backed by at least 25,000 fans that made the pilgrimage to Wembley Stadium from here in Kent, there are thousands of hangover sufferers this morning as Liam Daish’s side came back home with the Trophy.

Chris McPhee had seen his 40^th minute penalty saved by Torquay United goalkeeper Martin Rice, who was booked for bringing down striker Luke Moore inside the box, only to turn from zero to hero on the stroke of half-time.

John Akinde, 18, a Gravesend lad, who worked tirelessly all match, chased down a long ball from Frenchman Sacha Opinel before robbing the ball off Chris Todd, side-footed the ball across the face of the six-yard box and McPhee, sliding in, stabbed the ball into the bottom right-hand corner with his right-foot - sparking wild celebrations.

At the scenes at the final whistle will live in everyone’s memories and Hessenthaler, the man that lead Kent giants Dover Athletic to the Ryman League Division One South title this season, was the first person that www.kentishfootball.co.uk interviewed.

Hessenthaler, who was part of the BBC Radio Kent commentary team, said: “Absolutely outstanding. I’m glad I’m here, I’m glad I’ve been commentating on the game and they thoroughly deserved to win the game.

“Absolutely delighted for everybody connected to the football club, Liam Daish, Alan Kimble, two guys that I know.

“Liam has done an absolutely fantastic job for this football club and it’s a pleasure to be here and to do it on a big stage like this, is fantastic, so over the moon for them.”

Hessenthaler made his first trip to the new Wembley Stadium yesterday - and the Whites player-manager wanted so much to be playing on the hallowed turf.

“When I walked into the ground, it’s the first time I’ve seen the new one. First time I was here was when I played here (for Gillingham) at the old one and it brought back memories straight away.

“What a fantastic stage to play football on and I nearly tried to get down to see Liam to see if he’d give me a pair of shorts to do the warm-up because I was so desperate to get down there.

“But (I’m) absolutely delighted for everybody and as I actually come from Gravesend makes it feel even better.

“Kent football’s on the map as you know, Dartford winning the league (Ryman One North), ourselves at Dover winning the league (Ryman One South), Ebbsfleet winning the FA Trophy and the only unfortunate thing for me this year is Gillingham unfortunately went down, which is my club. That’s the only blip I’d say this season but fantastic - Kent football on the map.”

Hessenthaler, meanwhile, paid tribute to Mcphee - who showed great “composure” to score the winning goal at Wembley shortly after seeing his penalty saved.

Speaking about the former Torquay United man, Hessenthaler said: “Great composure. The way he missed the penalty and it could have been easy for him to go in his shell and lose concentration, lose confidence.

“But with the big lad Akinde up front, who was a handful all afternoon, done fantastic for the goal and there he was to put it home.

“But every single one of them had a fantastic game and I must say Paul McCarthy at the back, who I know very well, at 36-37 years old was absolutely outstanding.

“I know they gave the man-of-the-match to McPhee but for me I would have given it to Paul today because at times he held the defence together when they put a lot of pressure on them but it’s not about one person, it’s about the whole squad and they all deserve a massive amount of credit.

“My family come from Gravesend and they’re still living in Gravesend, Ebbsfleet as they call it now, and they’ll certainly be drinking a few beers and they were here today, my family, so a great party for them, all deserved, and all the plaudits.

Hessenthaler has challenged the Stonebridge Road club to push on in the Blue Square Premier next season - one that will be very exciting.

He added: “Let’s hope the club don’t stand still now and they’ll push on again.”

Visit Ebbsfleet United’s website: www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk