ALPHA Arms Academicals FC player-manager Danny Bulman has likened his side to cup football as ‘a red rag to a bull’ after they completed an historic treble.

The Alpha have already lifted the Berks & Bucks FA Sunday Junior Cup – the first Slough team to successfully defend the trophy – and the Mary Wells Memorial Cup this season.

And they added a third piece of silverware to their bulging trophy cabinet with a 4-1 win against Windsor Warriors in the Thames Valley Sunday Football League Trophy final.

Bulman said: “We knew we had to raise our game in order to beat Windsor. They’re a good side who win by playing proper football and have two top-notch strikers. But, the mention of cup football to our boys is like a red rag to a ball, and our lads just wanted it a bit more.” The Alpha beat Merrymakers Old Boys in the semi-finals just four days previous, with goals from Dan Molloy and Giorgio Rossitor, while Windsor needed penalties (8-7) to eliminate Hedgerley Old Boys after a 4-4 draw.

Bulman was without the services of Matt Blakely (suspended) Grant Gritt (injured) and Barry Dunbar (cup-tied) while the opposition missed Chris Gibson.

The Alpha had failed to beat Windsor in league action, and the hoodoo appeared to continue as Ben Wall set up forward partner Alex Gibson, who expertly headed past James Betts.

However, they were gifted the chance to get back into the final with the award of a penalty, though Konnor Saunders blasted high over the crossbar.

The Alpha were awarded a second spot-kick moments later as a Alfie Clarke free-kick hit the hand of Phil Lowes inside the box. This time Jamie DiGuiseppe calmly slotted home.

Windsor were now on the top foot and Alpha took a 2-1 lead into half-time when Molloy headed into the floor and up in to the roof of the net from a corner on 45 minutes.

Wall was unfortunate not to level shortly after half-time as he hit the post from the edge of the box and The Alpha soaked up the pressure to extend their advantage.

On 79 minutes, man-of-the-match Casey Harris was helpless to do anything as John Brennan powered home a bullet header from a DiGuiseppe corner.

Alpha secured the win, and an historic treble, when Molloy dispatched a third penalty, sparking scenes of jubilation from players and supporters alike.

Windsor player-manager Darren Wareham commented: “Well done to Alpha on winning, we just didn’t start playing until the second-half and by then we were chasing the game.

“Last Sunday’s marathon cup semi-final took a lot out of us and it showed in the first-half especially.

“It’s been a good first season for our lot and, with super signings coming in next season, we will look to go one better.” **PICK up a copy of the Observer, out now, for all the latest sports news and action** **FOLLOW the Observer on Twitter at @Observer_sports**