WILTSHIRE JUNIOR CUP: CASTLE Combe's successful season came to a disappointing end on Saturday in the final of the Wiltshire Junior Cup at Hardenhuish Park, Chippenham.
Barry Smith's side, who broke Broughton Gifford's five-year stranglehold on the Trowbridge and District League title last month, produced an under-par display and were duly swept aside by their Swindon League opponents.
Salv Granato gave 147 a one-goal lead at the break, before an own goal and a Dean Parsons strike after the interval looked to have put the game beyond Combe.
James Pope reduced the arrears after coming on as a substitute, but his strike proved little more than a consolation as Ricky Mazzotta's late fourth ended the Swindon League's 13-year wait for Junior Cup glory.
Combe boss Smith felt his men had frozen on their big day and deserved their heavy defeat.
He said: "I was really disappointed, but the better team won it on the day. We just didn't perform to our capabilities.
"We had so many supporters there as well. I suppose if we'd lost by the odd goal we'd have been a bit more upset, but 4-1 is a comprehensive win and you can't really complain about it.
"You have got to congratulate 147 because they played well. We got to Chippenham Town but then didn't really concentrate on the game. We had a few chances, but couldn't convert them."
Smith will hand over the managerial reins to Tony Hulbert next season after four years at the helm.
His efforts this term have earned him the Trowbridge League's manager of the year award, and he is proud of his achievements during his time in charge.
Said Smith: "Saturday was our heaviest defeat of the season, but we can't be too disappointed. We were the runners up in the Junior Cup and won the league and that isn't too bad.
"This season has gone beyond all of our expectations and I got the manager of the year award as well, which I am really chuffed about."
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