A vibrant all-round display from Alex Coppin led Town to a 2-0 victory over London Lions, the holders, in the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy final amid scenes of great jubilation on Tuesday night.
Coppin opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark and along with Josh Coley was at the centre of Reds’ attacking notions in a high-octane clash at Hemel Hempstead FC
Lions, Town’s main rivals for the second promotion spot in the league, came out determined to avenge two heavy recent defeats by their opponents but the Town defence held firm throughout to help to claim the silverware.
In a lively opening, Russell Bull was first to threaten when his low free kick squirmed under the body of James Harpin in the Lions goal. Harpin grabbed the ball gratefully at the second attempt.
Town goalkeeper Adam Harpur then had to make an instinctive save from a close-range header, and was booked when he felled an attacker in the Lions next raid. Town were relieved when the foul was deemed to be outside the area.
The Reds were denied by a dubious offside decision on the half-hour but the opening goal came on their next foray. Coley chased a loose ball to the left touchline and crossed for Coppin to rise highest and head home.
Lions emerged after the break with renewed vigour, although Liam Kenna should have made it two when he scooped over from a prime position.
A Coppin snap shot flew over the bar but the Trophy was sealed when hesitancy in the Lions defence from a long clearance was seized upon by substitute Harry Holland, who coolly rolled his shot into an empty net.
So one trophy lifted and that should provide the necessary momentum to go on and claim the second promotion position