WESTON Rhyn Football Club are still celebrating after lifting the Derek Stokes Cup.

The border club only re-formed last summer after a long absence of senior football in the village.

Victory ensured the club’s finest hour since re-forming last summer and just reward for manager Lewis Alderson and his charges.

Border Counties Advertizer: Action from tthe Derek Stokes Cup final between Weston Rhyn and St Martins. Picture by Andrew Donnison.Action from the Derek Stokes Cup final between Weston Rhyn and St Martins. Picture by Andrew Donnison.

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The club has struggled in the first division of the Salop Leisure Shropshire League but prevailed on penalties against local rivals St Martins after their match ended 2-2.

The Rhynites raced ahead with goals from Tom Jones and Nick Crouch before the break.

Fenn Jones reduced the arrears just after the hour before Kai Hurdman struck a late leveller to force penalties

Mikey Whitter missed a penalty for St Martins as Ben Carter scored the decisive kick for Weston Rhyn to spark wild scenes of celebrations.

Border Counties Advertizer: Action from tthe Derek Stokes Cup final between Weston Rhyn and St Martins. Picture by Andrew Donnison.Action from the Derek Stokes Cup final between Weston Rhyn and St Martins. Picture by Andrew Donnison.

Manager Lewis Alderson said: "After a 10 year wait for silverware, the club have finally brought success and happiness to the community of Weston Rhyn once more.

“We were no doubt under dogs against league above opposition but we went toe to toe with St Martins and held our own and created our own legacy for the club.”

Meanwhile Alderson hopes the trophy and end of a long drought for silverware will inspire the club going forward with preparations already underway ahead of next season.

Border Counties Advertizer: Action from tthe Derek Stokes Cup final between Weston Rhyn and St Martins. Picture by Andrew Donnison.Action from the Derek Stokes Cup final between Weston Rhyn and St Martins. Picture by Andrew Donnison.

He said: “Next season the club will be looking to improve by adding more consistency to our performances, we hope to bolster our ranks and increase the quality for new campaign.

“Our realistic goal is to to aim for a mid table finish.”

The club continues to build for the future with a development side competing in the Greenbous Shrewsbury Sunday League last season.