HARLOW Corinthia Manager, Richard Budd, celebrated his team lifting ‘the best trophy we’ll ever win’ after Danny Palmer’s 4th-minute strike proved to be the only goal of the game against Gas Lights in the Essex Sunday Premier Cup supported by GoCardless Final.

Corinthia were good value for their victory at Bowers & Pitsea FC in a competitive fixture, and Budd described himself as: “Over the moon! Couldn’t ask for a better performance, really. I think we dominated from minute one. Deserved winners in my opinion – delighted for the boys. They give up all their time, pay their money and the reward is this at the end of it.”

They were in front very early, when midfielder Palmer received Jamal Obeng’s pass, swivelled on the edge of the penalty area and drilled low into the bottom corner, past the diving goalkeeper, Oliver Pipa. The Gas Lights gloveman was back in the thick of the action around the middle of the half, doing well to deal with a powerful George Hopwood strike at goal.

On 26 minutes, goalscorer Palmer went close again for Harlow, who had certainly crafted the better of the chances by that point. This time, his opportunity missed the target by only a few inches, rolling past the left-hand post. At the other end, on the half-hour mark, Harry Willoughby’s free kick grazed the top of the net on its way over the crossbar, as Gas Lights searched for a leveller.

There was almost a freak second for Harlow four minutes into first-half stoppage time. A cross from the left evaded everyone and bounced off the far post. Then, just the other side of the interval, a free kick from deep landed to Harlow’s George Pullen, whose volley was only slightly wide of the post. Corinthia had plentiful openings to extend their lead as the second half progressed.

In the 56th minute, Obeng squared to the versatile and long-serving Bryn Thorpe right in front of goal, but he couldn’t make sufficient contact with his strike, and Pipa was able to fingertip the ball wide. Obeng had an impressive game on the right wing, and he lobbed a 63rd-minute cross in to team mate Robert Illenescu in space, though his volley was well off-target.

Time was running out for Gas Lights, whose attacking presence was intensified in the final quarter of an hour, initially bringing an impressive save from Harlow custodian, Samuel Butler. Milo Grimes progressed inside from the left and rolled the ball to Harry McArthur, whose poke at goal had to be expertly tipped onto the post and wide by the ‘keeper from close range. Ryan Hazeltine also volleyed a bouncing ball just wide for Gas Lights ten yards out on the right with seven minutes left.

There was almost some late drama four minutes into injury time. Brave and controlled goalkeeping from Harlow’s Captain, Butler, crucially prevented the ball crossing the line at the second attempt in what his manager described as a “massive moment,” but Corinthia, literally, held on to claim the silverware at full time. “Obviously we went ahead early, good goal,” recalled Budd. “We’ve dug in, the midfield was superb, big in the air, big and strong.”

“We’re used to winning – if that doesn’t sound too cocky – in our domestic league. So, this was the one that, for the last three or four years, has slipped past us. We were underdogs, probably, in three or four of the games we’ve played and we’ve gone away four times out of five, and here again today, and won. Really, really pleased and, I think, deserved winners when people look back at the run. It’s the best trophy we could win, the best trophy we’ll ever win.”

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Gas Lights: Oliver Pipa, Josh Vaughan, Milo Grimes, Jack Webb, Kieran Ayling, Ben Girling, Toby Harms, Brooklyn Maiden, Harry Willoughby, Jake Mitchell, Jack Stoneman. Substitutes: Jay Jay Cranfield, Harry McArthur, Ryan Hazeltine, Oscar Herbert, Archibald Herbert. Manager: Jay West.

Harlow Corinthia: Samuel Butler, Jeff Agyeman, Joe Pullen, Kieran Mead, Danny Palmer, George Pullen, George Hopwood, Bryn Thorpe, Reece Barnett, Jamal Obeng, George Spillane. Substitutes: Alfie Bonney, Ross Gill, Danny Ireland, Robert Illenescu, Alfie Anderson. Manager: Richard Budd.

Referee: Robert Willcocks.

Assistant Referees: Joshua Hussey and George Davies.

Fourth Official: Lewis Farthing.

Attendance: 262.