RICHINGS Park Reserves have retained the Slough Town Junior Cup this season after a 7-1 win against Reading YMCA Rockets.

John Willment stared in the final with a four-goal haul, while Bradley Cunningham, James Ward and Karl Haggen also netted at The Gore last Wednesday.

Richings Park manager Steve Burke told the Observer: “It was good to win. We played really well as we have done all season.

“We won it last year so it’s good to retain it but the scoreline was a bit harsh on Reading because they’re not a bad side.

“Reading tried to play football but were obviously a veterans side and we were a bit too young for them.

“Our striker John scored four goals and finished his chances very well. He smashed his chances straight into the net which is a bit unusual for him.

“Everything we hit seemed to end up in the goal but we scored three in the last 10 minutes so it still could have gone either way.

“Had Reading scored to make it 4-2 it might have been a different game but they were disappointed when they didn’t get the goal and we scored next.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Richings Park Reserves celebrate with the Slough Town Junior Cup trophy. Order photos online with code 180433.

“It’s a really good, old competition and only the second year we have entered but we’ve won it again. We wanted to retain it and we’re delighted to do so.

“We’re looking to leap up into the Senior Cup now because we want to win Division One and move up in the East Berkshire League.”

Richings Park return to the race for the East Berkshire Division One title when hosting league leaders Signcraft at Wellesley Avenue this Saturday (2pm).

The home team are in second place and five points behind the leaders but with three matches in hand.

Burke believes Richings Park are one of four sides that can still win the division, but is disappointed with how the fixtures have been organised.

He explained: “The league has been disappointing because we’ve not played a league match since February 3. There have been a lot of postponements because of the weather and a few other problems why games could not get played.

“It’s a really competitive league and there are still four teams that can win it, but the fixtures have not really gone the way they should have. There have been very strange fixtures this year which has cost us a little really.

“What should have been a competitive league hopefully still is, but I just hope all the clubs finish the season and it does not go pear-shaped.”

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Richings Park Reserves captain and goal scorer Bradley Cunningham (right) receives the Slough Town Junior Cup Trophy. Order photos using code 180433.

Burke added: “As long as we don’t get beat on Saturday we should be alright.

“Britwell are the ones to watch but there are a lot of twists and turns to go yet.

"We've got to look to win every game if we're going to win the league. We play with confidence and go into every game looking to win."

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