Mildenhall Town completed an historic league and cup double after beating rivals Newmarket Town 2-1 in the Thurlow Nunn League Challenge Cup final this afternoon.
Stephen Spriggs settled this absorbing cup final midway through the second half, as he fired home to help the Hall add to their Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division title success with the League Challenge Cup.
Both Suffolk sides went into this season finale, held at Diss Town’s Brewers Green Lane, off the back of excellent seasons in the Thurlow Nunn League.
Dean Greygoose’s Mildenhall finished nine points clear at the top of the Premier Division table to be crowned champions, while Kevin Grainger guided Newmarket to third place, their highest finish since 1994.
And it was the champions who got off to the perfect start, as Luke Butcher headed the Hall in front with barely a minute on the clock.
The Mildenhall skipper sent the ball past Newmarket goalkeeper Ben Nower to send his side’s noisy supporters into raptures inside the first 60 seconds of the game in an incredible start.
Matt Green headed over from a Spriggs free kick and Dan Brown saw his shot deflected out for a corner, as last season’s League Challenge Cup winners pushed for a second goal during the first half.
While at the other end, Charlie Bowen headed wide from a corner and Jamie Thurlbourne drilled an effort at goal which Mildenhall goalkeeper Josh Pope spilt.
The Jockeys did get themselves back on level terms shortly after the restart, though, when Thurlbourne’s excellent cross was headed in by Mark Webster on 53 minutes.
But parity would not last long, with both sides pushing for the next goal and a possible winner.
Nower produced a fine save to claw away Butcher’s header, before seconds later Deakan Napier spurned a golden chance at the other end, shooting over from Thurlbourne’s inviting cross.
The winning goal for Mildenhall came on 67 minutes.
A surging run from Dan Brown brought the striker into the Newmarket box and his pass found Spriggs, who fired in his 24th goal of the season to win the cup for Mildenhall as manager Greygoose, the players and their many fans celebrated.
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