A delighted Harpenden Town manager said his side’s victory in the Dudley Latham Memorial Premier Division Cup final was the culmination of four years hard work.

Danny Plumb steered his side to a 3-1 win over Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division champions Welwyn Garden City and was unable to hide his delight.

“It’s been four years in the making,” he said.

“We’ve had three years of putting a side together and it’s been hard.

“Four years ago there was nothing but we’re a proper non-league side now.

“But there’s been a lot of hard work over those years, by Roman and Steve and all the people behind the scenes.

“It’s absolutely unbelievable.

“But we can get third in the league as well so that’s the aim now.”

Town had to come from a goal down at half-time before two set-piece goals by Dave Keenleyside, the second from a disputed penalty five minutes from time, and one from Steve O’Reilly in stoppage time handed them the trophy.

And Plumb was pleased with the mental strength of his team.

He said: “To beat a side that have got promotion is great, they’re a good side.

“We knew if we could keep it at 1-0 we had a chance and we showed some real character.

“Maybe we had the rub of the green but you need that so I’m over the moon.

“We’d practiced defending as we knew what their set-pieces were so we’re disappointed to have conceded that.

“We knew what their delivery was like so we planned against that.

“Obviously that didn’t work but to keep it at one was important and I said at half-time, don’t concede the next goal and go 2-0 down because we’ll get a chance.

“And when you’ve got people like Keano you’ve always got a chance.”