We can hold our heads up high - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

Bearsted assistant manager Dalbir Daval says his players can be proud of their performance, despite losing the Kent Senior Trophy Final to treble chasing Kent League giants Whitstable Town today, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Honey Lane outfit, fifth in the British Energy Kent County Premier League table, knocked out Kent League clubs Slade Green and Sevenoaks Town en-route to the final.

And their performance at Dartford’s stunning £6.5m Princes Park Stadium showed why.

But the Bears missed numerous chances and were made to pay when Marlon Button scored a wonder-strike after 67 minutes in front of a crowd of at least 800 entertained fans.

“We’ve already knocked two Kent League sides out, quite convincingly on the way to today and I think we gave a good account of ourselves,” Daval said EXCLUSIVLEY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk  after their good display.

“We had our chances but it wasn’t too be today. I mean, we leave here today with our heads held high and on another day, we could have nicked it.”

Bearsted defender Graeme Andrews won the man-of-the-match award, having left Stuart King, the leading scorer in the Kent League, a frustrated man.

Daval said: “It was quite cagey, both defences played really well and to be fair I think to be beaten by a goal such as that, I mean, we can’t argue with that - nobody can do anything about that!

“We’ve come away from the game, heads held high so instead of the treble, now we go for the double.”

Fifth placed Bearsted have games in hand on all of their rivals in the British Energy Kent County Premier League table.

“We’ve got the top teams as well to play, we’ve got another cup final to come so two out of three ain’t bad,” said Daval.

“We’re very confident about getting the other two cups and we’ll be back for this cup next season.”

The Bears enjoyed playing at Princes Park Stadium today.

He added: “From the moment we got here they greeted us really well and back to the facilities, it’s just inspirational going out there and it shows in both team’s performances today - they put on a good show today.”

The most familiar player in the Bearsted team today was combative midfielder Danny Lye.

The 26-year-old is on a dual registration with Ryman League Division One South outfit Dover Athletic, and has also featured briefly for their rivals Ashford Town this season.

After a new addition to his family, Lye dropped into County League football after helping Tonbridge Angels win promotion into the Ryman Premier League last May.

And he explained EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk that he is happy playing for the Bears.

“I just enjoy my football,” he said. “I’ve dropped down last year, had a baby and all that.

“I played for Bearsted when I was 15, 16 before I was chasing the higher standard (of football).

“I’m enjoying it (but) if something comes along, I’ll have a look.”

Lye was pleased with the performance from his team-mates.

“Yes, done well today.” he said. “It was always going to be a worldly to win the game as both teams defended well.”