Belstone prevail in Challenge final

Challenge Cup Belstone 6 AFC Harrow 2 In the Challenge Cup Final Belstone faced a free-scoring AFC Harrow side on Sunday at Rayners Lane FC. With Radlett side Belstone yet to concede a goal in the competition, manager Joe Sheridan

Challenge Cup

Belstone 6 AFC Harrow 2

In the Challenge Cup Final Belstone faced a free-scoring AFC Harrow side on Sunday at Rayners Lane FC.

With Radlett side Belstone yet to concede a goal in the competition, manager Joe Sheridan went with his regular back four and selected Kevin Yule as the holding midfielder.

Belstone took the lead after five minutes when from Kevin Yule's long throw Nick Turner headed against the outstretched arm of an AFC Harrow defender. The referee awarded a penalty. Captain Chris Ingham stepped up, and his sweetly struck penalty made it 1-0.

Jamie Arthur made it 2-0 after picking up a clearance from Phil Merritt.

Midfielder Matt Cole executed a vital tackle when it looked as if Harrow were set to score and within a minute Belstone were 3-0 up. Giles Arthur beat his man down the right, and his cross picked out brother Jamie to finish.

Harrow pulled a goal back before Belstone, inspired by substitute John Beschizza, added a crucial fourth goal as Jamie Arthur completed his hat trick.

Star Goalkeeper Rob Blackburne made two vital saves after Harrow hit a second goal and Belstone then netted twice in the final two minutes. Nick Turner volleyed home and Steve Quinn struck for 6-2.

Belstone now need 11 points from six remaining league games to retain the Premier Division title and seal the clean sweep of the Harrow Sunday Challenge League honours.

Belstone: Rob Blackburne, Mark Blackburne, Chris Ingham (C), James Rattray, Phil Merritt, Tom Merritt, Nick Turner, John Beschizza, Billy Hunter, Matt Cole, Paul Yule, Kevin Yule, Steve Quinn, Jamie Arthur, Giles Arthur, Joe Sheridan.