Ben Allen helped himself to a hat-trick as Moulton Harrox thrashed hosts Stilton United 5-1 on Saturday to wrap up the ChromaSport PDFL Premier Division title in typical style.
Needing just a point to be sure of a second Premier Division title in four years, Harrox put last week’s derby defeat to Pinchbeck United behind them at In2itive Park.
Danny Lambe-Hyner and skipper Billy King were also on target for Dave Panton’s side, who made it 29 wins from 32 games to secure the crown they so richly deserve.
They will be presented with the trophy after their final home game of the season against ICA Sports at Broad Lane on May 7 – and will also have a chance to make it a double when they take on
Pinchbeck United in the President Premier Shield final at Stamford’s Zeeco Stadium on May 13 (7.30pm).
Delighted boss Panton said: “Fantastic! The lads have worked extremely hard over the season, in particular the last month.
“Playing 14 games in 35 or so days was always going to be hard but the players have been outstanding.
“We were obviously disappointed about the derby game but if you told me that we’d win the league but also lose to Pinchbeck United, I’d have definitely have taken it.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the players, they have done incredibly well to win the league with two games to spare.
“Moulton have only won the league once before but never had it presented at Broad Lane – which I’m really looking forward to after our last home game on May 7.
“But all of our attention is now on the cup final on May 13. Due to the heavy fixture list we have encountered I can rest some players and give others more game time.
“That will allow me to have a look at other players and I hope we will be fresh and ready for the final.”
Although they looked a litle edgy early on, Harrox settled their collective nerves on 15 minutes when King slipped a super pass through for winger Allen to fire home the opener.
Great defending from Ashley Coddington and Bobby Patterson kept Stilton at bay, before Allen doubled his tally following a fine pass from Louis Steadman.
It was 3-0 soon after the interval when Lambe-Hyner got on the scoresheet following another great move.
Skipper King then burst through to bury number four, before man-of-the-match Allen completed his first hat-trick in a while to round off the Harrox scoring.
Mark Baines hit back with a consolation goal for Stilton, but it was very much Moulton’s day.
Harrox: Kenealy, Clay, Johnson, Coddington, Patterson, L Steadman, King, Watkin, Allen, Bradbury, Maltby. Subs used: Earth, Groves, Lambe-Hyner.
Saturday: Harrox v Whittlesey Ath (2pm).
