TROWBRIDGE & District League Division One champions and A&B Cup winners Freshford United were looking to add the Wiltshire Junior Cup to their already bulging trophy cabinet.

Standing in their way were top Salisbury League outfit Alderbury, who themselves were aiming to complete a possible league and cup quadruple and battled their way to a thrilling 4-2 win that was only sealed in the final minutes.

It denied Freshford the honour of becoming the first Trowbridge & DIstrict League side to register wins in both the Somerset and Wiltshire Junior Cup finals.

Dave Percival had a glorious opportunity to put Freshford ahead on two minutes but, bearing down on goal, he stumbled just as he was about to shoot.

Freshford found themselves one down on eight minutes. The villagers' defence were caught napping as they failed to pick up Matt Baker who was left unmarked at the far post to tap in a Steve Holvey cross.

A few minutes later Alderbury had a great chance to make it 2-0 but Mark Scott’s header found the hands of keeper Adam Sheppard.

At this stage of the game Alderbury were on top and went close to doubling their lead on 15 minutes, as a cheeky flick from Jack Mitchell dropped just wide of the target.

Freshford pushed on looking for an equaliser and they nearly got it on 20 minutes, Tom Rooney’s header fell to Ricky Trott who blasted over from six yards out.

Midway through the half Freshford thought they had got back on level terms but Elliot Carris-Smith had a goal ruled out for offside.

At the other end Alderbury’s Danny Hayward had his powerful effort from 16 yards saved by keeper Adam Sheppard.

Alderbury’s Mark Scott then wasted a chance to make it 2-0, Dean Reynolds cross picked out Scott who a yard from goal scooped the ball over the bar.

As the game flowed from end-to-end Dave Percival missed a another chance for Freshford on 27 minutes and a couple of minutes later Scott drove a Matt Baker cross over the target.

Freshford got themselves back level in the 30th minute, as a Jack Mitchell free kick was headed back across goal to Rooney, who found the net to square things up at one-apiece.

In the remaining 15 minutes of the half chances came and went for both sides with Alderbury’s Scott missing probably the best when he failed to find the net from close range from a Reynolds cross.

Alderbury undoubtedly made the best start to the second half and they regained the lead on 48 minutes, Steve Holvey finishing well to make it 2-1.

On 55 minutes they should have added a third but Reynolds hooked the ball over the bar from six yards out. Two minutes later Dan Hayward was only denied by a great save from keeper Sheppard.

Action swithed to the other end and Alderbury keeper Sam Gillott produced a brilliant one handed stop to deny Carris-Smith, who then headed on to the bar from the resulting corner.

Alderbury went 3-1 on 62 minutes, Freshford’s keeper Sheppard saved superbly from Mark Scott but he was unable to keep out the rebound that saw Scott follow up and plant the ball in to the far corner to put his team in what seemed total control.

Back came Freshford and two minutes later the deficit was reduced, Craig Brown from midfield picked out Tom Rooney who crossed for Carris-Smith to fire home from eight yards out.

With Freshford looking for an equaliser they threw bodies forward and on 87 minutes they were awarded a penalty for handball.

Craig Brown, usually Mr Reliable from the spot, stepped up but his effort flew over the bar and from their let off Alderbury went straight up the other end and won a penalty of their own which substitute Ryan Hillier tucked away to kill off any hope Freshford had of taking the game to extra time.

Freshford may have been missing players like Steve Roddy, Gavin Eyre, Matt Lay and manager Chris Birleson, who were away on stag do’s, but they could have had no complaints at the final whistle as they had been beaten by the better team on the day and Alderbury were crowned deserved Wiltshire Junior Cup winners.