PERENNIAL bridesmaids Malmesbury finally got their hands on some silverware at the weekend with a convincing victory in the Cirencester and District Youth League Under 15 cup final.
After making do with runners-up medals in each of the past three league campaigns and twice more in the cup, Malmesbury triumphed 4-1 against Purton in this year's showpiece at Bibury, with James Brown the goalscoring hero.
It was a tremendous victory against a Purton side who went into the final with a perfect record of 19 wins in 19 games this season.
Both teams started cautiously with Purton perhaps edging the first 15 minutes, but Brown put Malmesbury ahead with a well-timed strike before the break.
The second half saw Malmesbury increase their lead when Brown found the net again.
Malmesbury keeper James Woodhams then denied Purton with an excellent diving save from a free-kick before Brown completed his hat-trick when he broke clear of the defence.
Good work from Mark Lane enabled Brown to make it 4-0 and a late consolation goal from Purton failed to prevent Malmesbury captain Jack Ward from getting his hands on a trophy at last.
Malmesbury coach Ian Lane said: "I am pleased for all of the players.
"For six seasons we have been so close to winning trophies but we have always been denied.
"All the players gave 100 per cent today and have been rewarded."
At under 14 level, Kingsdown maintained their title challenge with two recent victories.
Cousins George (2) and Danny Keene were on the mark as Kingsdown defeated Beeches 5-2. Liam Moyes and Lee Hanlon, direct from a corner, got the other goals.
They followed up with a 2-1 win over Cricklade, Danny Keene and Liam Stovell on target, to strengthen their hand in second place.
Highworth Colts claimed their place in the final of the under 13 cup with an emphatic last-four victory against Brunel Boys.
The Colts were 8-0 winners following a second-half goalfest.
Tino Pileggi opened the scoring but Highworth were restricted to a slender 1-0 advantage going into the interval.
However, the second period saw the Colts pile on the pressure with Pileggi getting his second, Steve Smart grabbing a brace and Danny King scoring four.
The Colts will now meet Cirencester Juniors in the final on Sunday.
In the under 11/12 league, Brunel Boys hit 11 without reply to see off Cirencester Juniors.
Liam Izod and Daniel Trout hit four goals apiece, with Daniel O'Connor, Michael Lam and Connor Doble also on target.
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