MARLBOROUGH Rovers lifted the STRETTON McDONALD’S UNDER-9 KNOCKOUT CUP with a 3-1 victory over Winshill at Willington.
Both teams looked to attack from the off, with Kyle Clamp a threat for Winshill, despite the close attention of man of the match Zac Warriner.
Winshill goalkeeper Archie Timms was becoming the busier of the two, making some great saves to ensure it remained goalless at half-time.
However, the deadlock was broken early in the second half.
Winshill were unable to fully clear following a Marlborough free-kick, with the ball dropping to Lestyn Ashcroft, who hit a sublime shot past the opposition keeper.
It was soon 2-0. Marlborough keeper Tyler Wesson launched a long clearance which was headed past his own keeper by a Winshill defender.
Winshill did not give up and hit the post following a corner before Clamp got away from his marker to reduce the deficit.
However, Winshill tired and they conceded a third goal on the counter-attack, with Thomas Hart finishing the move.
Both teams were given a new strip by Stretton McDonald’s.
A Danny Brady hat-trick saw Hilton Harriers Rams edge past Rocester 3-2 to claim the KL ENGINEERING UNDER-10 KNOCKOUT CUP.
Hilton drew first blood. After some slick passing, Lewis Cunningham produced a slide-rule pass for the unmarked Brady to fire past the keeper.
Hilton keeper Charlie Wood had to make a great save from a mis-hit clearance from one of his own defenders before his side doubled their advantage.
Tristan Mathews picked out Brady, who controlled the ball well before hitting a fierce shot in off the post.
Rocester almost pulled one back before half-time, but Jonathan Duckworth’s effort rebounded off the post.
However, they started the second half well and, with just a minute gone, Cunningham made it 2-1.
It was end-to-end now but, having made a save from a free-kick, Wood’s long goal kick was headed over the advancing keeper by man of the match Brady to complete his hat-trick.
This saw Hilton ease up and Joshua Berry smashed home a great goal to make it 3-2, but although Rocester pushed forward, Harriers hung on.
Kira Rai’s goal was enough to see Burton Albion Ladies defeat Stretton Swifts in the final of the UNDER-11 GIRLS KNOCKOUT CUP.
After an even opening, both sides created chances in the first half but failed to make any of them count.
Paighton Robathan went closest for Swifts, but her effort was saved by Albion keeper Charley Lee.
Swifts started the second half well, but Albion — and Rai in particular — soon took over.
She won a free-kick which Swifts keeper Kellie Howe pushed onto the bar, but Rai was on hand to fire home the rebound and break the deadlock.
This spurred Swifts on but Albion withstood everything that was thrown at them, with Rai on hand to block several efforts on target.
As the game wore on, it looked inevitable an equaliser would come, but Albion stuck to their task to lift the trophy.
Marlborough Rovers completed a league and cup double and rounded off their season with an unbeaten record by defeating Rolleston Red 3-2 to lift the BJFL UNDER-13 KNOCKOUT CUP at the Moat Ground.
Despite scoring two goals in the space of five minutes in the second half, through Ryan Benfield and Daniel Wildman, Rolleston finally had to concede second best to the Rovers trio of Elliot Belson, Oliver Coe and Albert Lansdowne.
The RUSHTON HICKMAN UNDER-16 KNOCKOUT CUP final saw Gresley Lions secure the double as they got the better of Heather Juniors 4-1.
Adam Hollens scored the Heather consolation in reply to a Sam Taylor double and Jamie Davies and Connor Parker goals.
