Thurlow Nunn Division One Stowmarket Town 3 AFC Sudbury Reserves 0 Stowmarket Town won their first league title in 66 years after beating AFC Sudbury Reserves 3-0 to clinch the Thurlow Nunn League First Division crown on Saturday.

East Anglian Daily Times: Stowmarket Town's Duane Wright celebrates his strike against AFC Sudbury Reserves. Picture: BEN POOLEYStowmarket Town's Duane Wright celebrates his strike against AFC Sudbury Reserves. Picture: BEN POOLEY (Image: Archant)

The Old Gold and Blacks, who last week secured the first promotion in their 134-year history, needed just a point to be crowned champions on the final day of the season.

But a brace from Duane Wright, sandwiched between top goalscorer George Bugg’s 19th goal of the campaign, ensured Stow finished three points clear at the top of the table.

A bumper crowd close to 300 packed in to Greens Meadow in the hope of seeing history made, and they were sent home happy as Rick Andrews’ side ran out comfortable winners to capture the First Division title.

Any early nerves were settled after just ten minutes when Wright netted the first of his two goals, powering through the Sudbury defence and slotting past visiting goalkeeper Louis Johnson into the bottom corner.

East Anglian Daily Times: Stowmarket players celebrate a strike against AFC Sudbury Reserves. Picture: BEN POOLEYStowmarket players celebrate a strike against AFC Sudbury Reserves. Picture: BEN POOLEY (Image: Archant)

On the half hour mark it was 2-0 to Stow after Bugg found the target, scoring in a congested penalty area to give the hosts some breathing space.

Anton Clarke’s corner was cleared back into his path, and his second delivery was flicked on by Jack Baker to the feet of Bugg, who finished past Johnson to double Stow’s lead.

Andrews’ men made sure they went into the break with their two-goal cushion intact, after goalkeeper Lewis Higgins made a fine save to keep out Ollie Peters’ penalty on 42 minutes.

The Stow number one, arguably the team’s player of the season having kept 21 clean sheets during their title-winning campaign, dived low to his left to claw away the Sudbury midfielder’s spot kick.

And the victory was sealed midway through the second half, when Wright scored his 13th goal of the season with an effort from outside the box which looped over Johnson into the top corner.

Good work from Ben Licence and Mical Moore saw the ball set nicely for Wright, who sent his shot over the goalkeeper to spark wild celebrations for the Old Gold and Blacks.