SWINDON Primary Schools under 11 team won the Witney Cup by beating Brent Schools 1-0 at Swindon Supermarine.

Swindon had reached the final by defeating Dacorum 7-0 and Woking 4-3, while Brent had knocked out St. Albans 3-1 and Bristol 1-0.

The north London side were on paper slight favourites having won the Middlesex League and Lester Finch London League (North).

Brent had also won the Witney Cup in 2002 and finished runners-up in 2003.

Swindon meanwhile were in their first Witney Cup final for six years, and having finished a disappointing third in the Cotswold League were eager to finish their season with a trophy.

Swindon settled quickly and opened the scoring after just nine minutes.

A cross from the left was held up by the mud in the penalty area and Jefferies turned quickly to stab the ball past O'Connell.

Brent fought hard to get back into the game but superb work in centre midfield by Brown and Wright repeatedly denied them.

Swindon always looked dangerous on the break and nearly doubled their advantage mid-way through the first half.

Henshall used his pace to get beyond his marker before delivering a brilliant cross.

French arrived unmarked at the back post and slid in to volley a fierce drive only to see it strike the underside of the bar.

As the first half progressed the weather deteriorated and threatened to force the match to be abandoned.

Brent pressed the Swindon defence but the back line of Diss, Karn, Miles and Wilkinson held firm, forcing Brent into shooting from long range.

Brent's best effort of the first half came when a clever diagonal ball put McFarlane through.

Miles chased across to close him down and force his shot wide. Swatridge, who hardly had a serious effort on goal to save throughout the first half, was alert to McGrath's shot.

After the break Swindon made two changes. Thomas and Hayden replaced the hard-working duo of French and Chapman.

Brent began the second period where they left off.

But Swindon dug deep, with Wilkinson and Karn making well-timed tackles.

Swindon's skipper Wright was involved in his own midfield struggle with Brent's Callender as the pair battled for control of the muddy centre circle.

But Swindon held on for a deserved victory.

Steve Beale, the Swindon manager, said: "I'm so proud of all the boys. Their determination and hard work throughout the season has been justly rewarded.

"Despite the appalling weather and deteriorating pitch conditions they managed to play a high standard of football.

"It's been a perfect end to our season 18 games played, just four defeats and 72 goals scored."