Eddie Akuamoah, and on-loan French ace Amara Simba were the heroes for Geoff Chapple - who picked up his fifth trophy success in the last seven years.

Dominant

It was the Northamptonshire side who started off the more dominant, as Gary Setchell and Dale Watkins both went close for Peter Morris' men.

Brett McNamara scuffed a golden opportunity for Kettering, shooting horribly over when well placed.

Ks roared back however, and took the lead four minutes from the interval, when a subtle flick from Simba released Akuamoah into the box, and Ks' longest serving player made no mistake.

Kettering came back at the start of the second half, and deservedly levelled the scores when skipper Carl Vowden nipped in between Colin Luckett and Matt Crossley, and poked Carl Adams' free kick into the corner.

Steve Farrelly then had Ks supporters hearts in their mouths with a poor attempted clearance that was intercepted by McNamara, but luckily for the Ks goalkeeper, sub Lee Hudson's follow-up was disallowed for offside.

Minutes later, Kettering were awarded a penalty after Tarkan Mustafa was adjudged to have tripped McNamara inside the area.

Though after the match, television replays showed that the Kettering full back had tripped over his own feet.

Craig Norman made no mistake with his kick, sending Steve Farrelly the wrong way from the spot.

Chapple's men came back qucikly and levelled the scores, Simon Stewarts free kick was nodded on by Mark Harris to Akuamoah, who pounce from close range.

Denied

Kettering should have regained their lead as McNamara was denied at close range by Farrelly, and the ball fell for Matt Fisher, who skied the rebound over the bar when it would have been easier to score.

Ks then started to dominate, as Simba scissor kicked a good chance wide, and it became clear that the Kettering side were begining to tire.

The Trophy holders got their reward when Mustafa's forging 40-yard run and shot was spilled by Adam Sollitt, allowing Simba to skilfully chip the ball home via a post and into the net.

Geoff Pitcher could have settled the contest in the last minute, but shot straight at the Kettering keeper.

Delirium

The final whistle was greeted with delirium amongst the 7,000 Ks fans and the Tina Turner track over the tannoy of 'simply the best' must surely apply to one man - Geoff Chapple.

l Ks: Farrelly, Mustafa, Luckett, Crossley, Stewart (Saunders 75), Harris, Kadi (Leworthy 82), Pitcher, Green (Basford 85), Simba, Akuamoah.

Subs not used: Hurst, Allan.

l Kettering: Solitt, McNamara, Adams, Perkins, Vowden, Norman (Duik 73), Fisher, Brown, Shutt, Watkins (Hudson 45), Setchell (Hopkins 80).

Unused: Ridgeway, Wilson.

Referee: Steve Dunn (Bristol)

Attendance: 20,034.

Russell's ratings

Steve Farrelly

Made one needless error that was spared embarrassment when he was found out attempting to clear the ball. Denied Phil Brown a certain goal with a good save.

Tarkan Mustafa

Always looked dangerous when going forward. Was unlucky to concede a penalty after he was deemed to have fouled Brett McNamara. My man of the match

Colin Luckett

Produced a battling performance started well, but as the game went on the rigours of a tough season finally caught up with him.

Matt Crossley

A captains performance in hot humid conditions. Was a guiding influence in the Ks back three particularly when the pressure was on

Simon Stewart

Needed all of his 36 years experience to combat the Kettering front line. Assisted the Ks second goal and did the simple things well

Mark Harris

Needed all of his 36 years experience to combat the Kettering front line. Assisted the Ks second goal and did the simple things well.

Junior Kadi

Replaced the suspended Gary Patterson in the heart of the Ks midfield. Gave a good account of himself, after a nervous start

Eddie Akuamoah

Ks longest serving player will remember this day for the rest of his life. Scored a well taken first and was in the right place at the right time for the second.

Amara Simba

Achieved a life long ambition of scoring the winner at Wembley. Set up the first goal with a subtle flick for Akuamoah and was a constant menace for the Kettering defence.

Phil Wingfield

If he keeps his feet on the ground this boy will go a long way in the game. His first appearance at Wembley and one that he will remember for a long time.

Geoff Pitcher

A battling performance from the Ks midfield man. His only indiscretion being a missed one-on-one opportunity with Adam Solitt in injury time.

Subs

David Leworthy - Came on for Kadi 6. Eddie Saunders - Came on as sub for Stewart 6 Luke Basford - On for Green. 5

Captain's Corner

with Matt Crossley

Our victory in the FA trophy last Saturday over Kettering was well deserved for all the players.

We deserved to win for the second year in succession, and in the closing stages could have scored a couple more goals.

Going 2-1 behind actually worked in our favour because it spurred us on, only then did we start playing.

After they got a lucky break with the penalty decision the players showed their team spirit and got us through, on what was a very hot and humid afternoon.

The credit for that has to go to Geoff, he is brilliant at keeping us relaxed before big games and all he wants us to do is to go out on the pitch and enjoy it.

The one player I was most impressed with was Junior Kadi. He came in at the last minute for Gary Patterson and performed brilliantly.

Many people say he is a luxury player, but he held in there and let Geoff (Pitcher) do all the running, picked up all the loose balls and sprayed around a few telling passes.

As for the future, hopefully I will stay at Kingstonian. I will have a talk with the manager and see what his plans are.

But before that I'll be going away on holiday in June, put ting my feet up, but then I'll be back - ready raring to go for pre-season training.

The plans at the club next season are to try and win the Conference. If the gaffer has to release players in order to bring in others then fine. He will only do what is best for the club.

I would like to see Eddie Saunders and Amara Simba here next season because the bigger the squad we have the more chance we have of sustaining our target of winning the title and achieving league status.

Chapple's

Chatter

Kingstonian manager Geoff Chapple was a happy, but somewhat relieved, man after his side's narrow Wembley win over Kettering last weekend.

"I didn't think it was going to happen when we went behind - but my players did it again for me.

"I thought the game was played in the right spirit and it was a shame someone had to lose, because Peter Morris (Kettering manager) and his chairman have put so much into the club."

But having achieved his fifth trophy success in seven fine years, Chapple insists he is in the managerial game for the enjoyment - not the money.

Chapple joked: "I just wish I'd cast a few things in stone nine or ten years ago. Then I would have been a wealthy man, probably living next door to Max Griggs."

But with success comes questions and Chapple hit back over doubters, who question his ability to manage a side to a league title.

"They say that I can only win cups, but I have won a few leagues in my time, and with the extra promotion place in the Conference next year we will be looking to do good things."

With the end of the season now upon us, the Ks boss acknowledged that, after eight games in 21 days, he is in dire need of a holiday.

"I'm stressed out," he admitted. "We had a terrible time with the number of games we have been forced to play in the last few weeks and even had some playing with injuries."

"I will definitely need a break and its something that I am looking forward to immensely."